Main Entry:

ser·geant

Pronunciation:

\ˈsär-jənt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, servant, attendant, sergeant, from Anglo-French sergant, serjant, from Latin servient-, serviens, present participle of servire to serve

Date:

13th century

1: sergeant at arms2obsolete : an officer who enforces the judgments of a court or the commands of one in authority3: a noncommissioned officer ranking in the army and marine corps above a corporal and below a staff sergeant ; broadly : noncommissioned officer4: an officer in a police force ranking in the United States just below captain or sometimes lieutenant and in England just below inspector