\Ad"ju*tant\, n. [L. adjutans, p. pr. of adjutare to
help. See {Aid}.]
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. (Zo["o]l.) 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.