— marshalcy, marshalship , n. — marshaler; esp. Brit., marshaller , n.
/mahr"sheuhl/ , n. , v. , marshaled, marshaling or ( esp. Brit. ) marshalled, marshalling .
n.
1. a military officer of the highest rank, as in the French and some other armies. Cf. field marshal .
2. an administrative officer of a U.S. judicial district who performs duties similar to those of a sheriff.
3. a court officer serving processes, attending court, giving personal service to the judges, etc.
4. the chief of a police or fire department in some cities.
5. a police officer in some communities.
6. See sky marshal .
7. a higher officer of a royal household or court.
8. an official charged with the arrangement or regulation of ceremonies, parades, etc.: the marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade.
v.t.
9. to arrange in proper order; set out in an orderly manner; arrange clearly: to marshal facts; to marshal one's arguments.
10. to array, as for battle.
11. to usher or lead ceremoniously: Their host marshaled them into the room.
12. Heraldry. to combine (two or more coats of arms) on a single escutcheon.
[ 1225-75; ME marshal, syncopated var. of mareschal marahscalh groom, equiv. to marah horse (see MARE 1 ) + scalh servant, c. OE scealc ]
Syn. 9. order, dispose; convoke. See gather .
Ant. 9. scatter.