Obs. [In part perh. ad. med.L. capitāneus chief, principal; but in many cases not to be distinguished from an attrib. use of prec. sb.] Chief, principal, leading, head-.
1566. Drant, Horace Sat., II. B. He lays it to the captaine heape Whereof it rose, and grew.
1566. T. Stapleton, Ret. Untr. Jewel, iv. 50. A manifest and Captain Untruthe.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxiii. (1887), 121. Sound sleepe, the captaine cause of good digestion.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., lii. Like stones of worth … Or captain jewels in the carcanet.
1635. R. Bolton, Comf. Affl. Consc., iv. 182. Some Captaine and Commanding sinne.
