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Webster 1828 Edition

Noun.

[standard and bear.] An officer of an army, company or troop, that bears a standard; an ensign of infantry or a cornet of horse.

standard-bearer ‎(plural standard-bearers)

A person who carries a flag or banner (a standard).
The standard-bearer in battle is in the center of the front line so the following troops know where to go; unfortunately, it also shows the enemy where to shoot.
A person who visibly leads.
He became the standard-bearer for their cause because of his celebrity.

person who carries flag or banner