Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Adjutant
1.
A helper; an assistant.
2.
(Mil.)
A regimental staff officer, who assists the colonel, or commanding officer of a garrison or regiment, in the details of regimental and garrison duty.
Adjutant general
(a)
(Mil.)
, the principal staff officer of an army, through whom the commanding general receives communications and issues military orders. In the U. S. army he is brigadier general.
(b)
(Among the Jesuits)
, one of a select number of fathers, who resided with the general of the order, each of whom had a province or country assigned to his care.
3.
(Zool.)
A species of very large stork (
Ciconia argala
), a native of India; – called also the gigantic crane
, and by the native name argala
. It is noted for its serpent-destroying habits. Webster 1828 Edition
Adjutant
AD'JUTANT
,Noun.
In military affairs, an officer whose business is to assist the Major by receiving and communicating order. Each battalion of foot, and each regiment of horse has an adjutant, who receives orders from the adjutant, who receives orders from the Brigade Major, to communicate to the Colonel, and to subalterns. He places guards, receives and distributes ammunition, assigns places of rendezvous, &c.
Adjutant-General, in an army, is the chief adjutant.
Adjutants General, among the Jesuits, were a select number of fathers, who resided with the general of the order, each of whom had a province or country assigned to his care. Their business was to correspond with that province, by their delegates, emissaries or visitors, and give information of occurrences to the father general.