adjutant

/ˈæʤətənt/

Other forms: adjutants

A general's assistant is his adjutant. The word means someone who serves as a helper to a higher-ranking military officer.

The root of adjutant, is the Latin juvare, "to help, support." It sounds a little like juvenile, doesn't it? So think of an adjutant as a young staff officer helping out an older commanding one. The word adjutant can also be used to describe a loyal deputy or follower. If you are the kind of kid who stays at the side of your favorite teacher and does whatever the teacher ask you to, you might be described as that teacher's adjutant.

Definitions of adjutant

1. noun

   an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
   synonyms: aide, aide-de-camp

   types:

   adjutant general

   a general's adjutant; chief administrative officer

   type of:

   military officer, officer

   any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
2. noun

   large Indian stork with a military gait
   synonyms: Leptoptilus dubius, adjutant bird, adjutant stork

   type of:

   stork

   large mostly Old World wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage