n.a fictitious designation for a very high-rankingofficer in the United States Navy. This comes from the stripes worn by officers on the sleeves of their uniforms to indicate rank. For example, a captain (rank just above a commander) has four goldstripes and is called a "four-striper" and a commander has three goldstripes and is called a "three-striper." The highestranking naval officer, a fleetadmiral, has five stripes.