Chiefer

/ˈtʃiːfər/ adjective

Definition

More chief; a comparative form meaning having greater authority or ranking higher among chiefs (archaic or dialect).

Etymology

Formed by adding the comparative suffix '-er' to 'chief.' While 'chief' can be used as an adjective meaning 'most important,' the comparative 'chiefer' is archaic and rarely used in modern English.

Kelly Says

Modern English mostly avoids 'chiefer' in favor of 'more chief,' but this word shows how English speakers centuries ago used '-er' endings more freely—language standardization gradually pushed us toward the 'more + adjective' pattern instead.

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