–n.
1. a) an officer of various kinds, especially a police officer. A United States marshal is an officer of a Federal court whose duties are like those of a sheriff. b) a police officer in a city or town in some states with duties similar to those of a sheriff or constable, including serving processes. c) the chief of police or head of the fire department in some cities.
2. a high officer in an army. A Marshal of France is a general of the highest rank in the French Army.
3. a person who arranges the order of march in a parade: »
The marshal rode at the head of the parade.
4. a person in charge of events or ceremonies: »
The dean of the school acts as marshal of graduation exercises.
5. one of the highest officials of a royal household or court, responsible in the Middle Ages for military affairs.
–v.t.
1. to arrange in proper order: »
He took great care in marshaling his facts for the debate. So to the office in the evening to marshal my papers (Samuel Pepys).
2. to conduct with ceremony; lead formally; usher: »
The foreign visitor was marshaled into the presence of the king. The abbot marshalled him to the door of Augustine's chamber (Scott).
3. to arrange in military order; prepare for war.
4. Heraldry. a) to combine (two or more coats of arms) upon one shield so as to form a single composition. b) to associate (accessories) with a shield of arms so as to form a complete composition.
–v.i.
to take up positions in proper order: »
no marshaling troop, no bivouac song (Joaquin Miller).
╂[< Old French mareschal < Late Latin mariscalcus groom < German (compare Old High German marahscalc < marah horse + scalc servant)]
–mar´shal|er, especially British,
–mar´shal|ler, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.