marshal

marshal [mär′shəl]

n.

[ME marescal < OFr mareschal < Frank * marhskalk or OHG marahscalh, lit., horse servant (> ML marescalcus) < marah, horse (akin to OE mearh, horse: see MARE¹) + scalh, servant < IE base * sk̑el-, to spring]

1. a groom or, later, a master of the horse in a medieval royal household

2. a high official of a royal household or court, as in medieval times, in charge of military affairs, ceremonies, etc.

3. a military commander; specif.,

a) FIELD MARSHAL

b) in various foreign armies, a general officer of the highest rank

c) an officer of the highest rank in the British Royal Air Force

4. an official in charge of ceremonies, processions, rank and order, etc. who arranges the order of march

☆ 5. an officer of various kinds in the U.S.; specif.,

a) a federal officer appointed to a judicial district to carry out orders and perform functions like those of a sheriff

b) a minor officer of the law in some cities

c) the head, or a high-ranking officer, of a police or fire department in some cities

vt.

marshaled or marshalled, marshaling or marshalling

1. to arrange (troops, things, ideas, etc.) in order; array; dispose [to marshal forces for battle]

2.

a) to direct as a marshal; manage

b) to lead or guide ceremoniously

marshalcy

n.

marshalship