n.
Variant: also mar · shall
Pronunciation: ' mär-sh ə l
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 orig. 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 U.S.) 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 \ -s ē \ noun
– mar · shal · ship \ - ˌ ship \ noun