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 gathering2 a: field marshal b: a general officer of the highest military rank3 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