chief (subs.) Copy link Outline 1. princeps, ĭpis2. prŏcer, ĕris (esp. of the ruling class; the great; aristocracy3. prīmōris (strictly an adj.4. căput, ĭtis, n. (lit. head5. dux, auctor, etc. • chief (subs.): 1. princeps, ĭpis: the c. of the senate (lawful title of the foremost senator), p. senatus, Liv.: Zeno was the founder and c. of the Stoics, Zeno inventor et p. Stoicorum fuit, Cic.: the c. of a conspiracy, p. conjurationis, Cic.: the c.s of states, principes civitatum, Caes. 2. prŏcer, ĕris (esp. of the ruling class; the great; aristocracy: usu. in pl.): c.s destroy Pergamum, scindunt proceres Pergamum, Pl.: I am reckoned among the c.s of the state, ego proceribus civitatis annumeror, Tac.: Cic.: Virg. 3. prīmōris (strictly an adj.: but chiefly used in pl. as subs. = proceres): the c.s of the people, primores populi, Hor.: Juv. (also primores viri, Cat.). 4. căput, ĭtis, n. (lit. head: hence leader, ringleader: q. v.): the c.s of the conspiracy, capita conjurationis, Liv. 5. dux, auctor, etc.: v. leader, founder. N.B.--Chief, as applied to one holding an office by appointment, may often be expr. by a verb: as, is qui copiis praefectus s. praepositus est; cui delata est summa imperii, etc.: v. to appoint. But praefectus and praepositus are both used substantively: as, c. of a deputation, praepositus legatorum, Cic.: v. commander, captain.