Ensign (noun)

1. A flag or banner flown by a ship, regiment, or other organization to indicate its identity or nationality.
2. A naval rank or commission, typically held by a junior officer.

Origin:

From the middle english word ensigne, from the old french word enseigne, which means flag, sign, or banner.

Examples:

1. The ensign of the ship was hoisted to indicate it was ready to depart.
2. The ensign was flown at half-mast to honor the deceased.
3. The ensign of the regiment was a blue flag with a white star.
4. The ensign is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the U.S. Navy.
5. He was an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard.