marshal

noun

1》 an officer of the highest rank in the armed forces of some countries.

    ↘Brit. historical a high-ranking officer of state.

2》 US a federal or municipal law officer.

    ↘the head of a police department.

    ↘N. Amer. the head of a fire department.

3》 an official responsible for supervising public events, especially sports events or parades.

4》 (in the UK) an official accompanying a judge on circuit, with secretarial and social duties.

verb (marshals, marshalling, marshalled; US marshals, marshaling, marshaled)

1》 assemble (a group of people, especially soldiers) in order.

2》 bring together or arrange in order (facts, information, etc.).

3》 direct the movement of (an aircraft) on the ground at an airport.

4》 Heraldry combine (coats of arms), to indicate marriage, descent, or the bearing of office.

Derivatives

marshaller noun

marshalship noun

Origin

ME: from OFr. mareschal 'farrier, commander', from late L. mariscalcus, from Gmc elements meaning 'horse' (cf. mare¹) and 'servant'.