I. noun
also mar·shall ˈmär-shəl
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
II. verb
also marshall
( -shaled or -shalled ; -shal·ing or mar·shal·ling ˈmärsh-(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to place in proper rank or position
marshal ing the troops
2. : to bring together and order in an appropriate or effective way
marshal arguments
3. : to lead ceremoniously or solicitously : usher
marshal ing her little group of children down the street
intransitive verb
: to take form or order
ideas marshal ing neatly
Synonyms: see order