[mar.shal] also mar.shall n [ME, fr. OF mareschal, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marahscalc marshal, fr. marah horse + scalc servant] (13c) 1 a: a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble orig. having charge of the cavalry but later usu. 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 n -- mar.shal.ship n
[2]marshal also marshall vb -shaled or -shalled ; -shal.ing or -shal.ling vt (15c) 1: to place in proper rank or position "~ing the troops"
2: to bring together and order in an appropriate or effective way "~ arguments"
3: to lead ceremoniously or solicitously: usher "~ing her little group of children down the street" ~ vi: to take form or order "ideas ~ing neatly" syn see order