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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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ensign
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Word for a flag, deriving from the same root as 'insignia' and therefore used in particular for flags of identification flown by the armed forces. In the army the regimental standard is known as the ensign, and the word is also used by extension for the officer who carries it. In the navy the complex use of personal standards by the commanders of individual ships gave way in the 18C to red, white and blue flags for the three squadrons of a fleet drawn up for battle.
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In the 19C this in turn was replaced by the present system: the White Ensign is flown only by ships of the Royal Navy and by members of the Royal Yacht Squadron (a privilege granted in 1829 to several yacht clubs, but withdrawn from all the others); the Blue Ensign is flown by auxiliary vessels of the Royal Navy, by other ships employed in the public service and by certain yacht clubs; and the Red Ensign is flown by the merchant navy. The Royal Air Force ensign, flown at air force bases, is a variant in RAF blue of the naval ensign, with the addition of the RAF triple circle (or roundel) in red, white and blue.
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