Main Entry: ¹mar·shal

Variant(s): also mar·shall \ˈmär-shəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French mareschal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marahscalc marshal, from marah horse + scalc servant

Date: 13th century

1 a : a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces b : a person who arranges and directs the ceremonial aspects of a gathering
2 a : field marshal b : a general officer of the highest military rank
3 a : an officer having charge of prisoners b (1) : a ministerial officer appointed for a judicial district (as of the United States) to execute the process of the courts and perform various duties similar to those of a sheriff (2) : a city law officer entrusted with particular duties c : the administrative head of a city police department or fire department

— mar·shal·cy \-sē\ noun

— mar·shal·ship \-ˌship\ noun