Obs. exc. Her. Forms: 5–6 ensigne, -sygne, 5 enseigne, -seygne, enseyne, (6 ensine, -syne, 7– ensign). Also 5 inseygne, 6 insygne, 6–8 insigne. [a. OF. ensignier, enseigner, corresp. to Pr. enseignar, Cat. ensenyar, Sp. enseñar, Pg. ensinar, It. insegnare:—med.L. insignāre, f. in (see IN-) + signum sign.]
† 1. trans. To indicate, point out, show. Also absol. to give indications. Obs.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 37 b. As to the waye that he had holden he enseigned to the lady. Ibid. (1483), Gold. Leg., 288/3. Why callest thou them traitours whiche ben Doctours and enseygne the lyf perdurable.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terapeutyke, 2 C iij. But I can nat coniect what may shewe and ensygne the tyme.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John, 67 a. He did ensigne theim in time to come a terrible iudgemente.
1576. Baker, Jewell of Health, 29 a. The matter ought afore to be put into the vessels: as thys letter X. insigneth to vs.
† 2. To direct (a person) to an object; to instruct, inform. Also with double acc.: To teach (a person, a thing). Obs.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, 16. He is taught, enseygned and norisshed in his yougth.
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 74 b. Wylle ye that I enseygne and teche you howe ye shal mowe escape from alle euyll.
1508. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 236. A folysshe Father full hardly shall ensyne His sone to good lyfe.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, II. i. 16. [The Caporall] himselfe ensigning and teaching the Bisognios. Ibid., III. i. 33. Ensigning them the vse of their weapon.
3. † a. To mark with a distinctive sign or badge; also, to serve as a badge of (obs.). b. Her. To distinguish (a charge) by a significant mark or ornament placed upon it, as a crown, coronet or mitre.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, II. 71. The Cocke aboue other birdes, is ensigned with a peculiare Creste.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 138. Princes … which do insigne their chapeau and helme with a crowne of flowers and crosses.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, I. i. (1660), 5. Osyris bare a Scepter royall, insigned on the top with an Eye.
1610. Jonson, Prince Henry’s Barriers. Henry but join’d the roses, that ensign’d Particular families.
1766. Porny, Heraldry (1787), 150. The sixteenth is Argent, a man’s Heart Gules, ensigned with a Crown Or.
1808. J. Barlow, Columb., VI. 272. A warrior ensign’d with a various crown.
1842. M. A. Lower, Eng. Surnames (1875), II. App. 148. A cross ensigned by XP.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xiii. 96. They [Archbishops and Bishops] ensign their Shields with their Mitres.
