Added 3 October 2026
marshal
/ˈmɑːʃəl/ noun
Latin root: mariscalcus Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about marshal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A high-ranking officer in the household of a medieval prince or lord, who was originally in charge of the cavalry and later the military forces in general.
- A military officer of the highest rank in several countries, including France and the former Soviet Union; equivalent to a general of the army in the United States. See also field marshal.
- A person in charge of the ceremonial arrangement and management of a gathering.
verb
- To arrange in line for inspection or a parade.
- To arrange in some methodical order.
- To ceremoniously guide, conduct or usher.
Origin
From Middle English marschal, from Anglo-Norman mareschal (“farrier; military commander”), from Medieval Latin mariscalcus (“groom, army commander, court dignitary”), either from Frankish *marhaskalk, or Old High German marah-scalc (“horse-servant”), from Proto-West Germanic *marh + *skalk (whence Old Saxon maraskalk, marahscalc). Compare English mare + shalk.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)