marshal
marshal Lexical Profile
marshal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A federal or municipal law enforcement officer whose duties include executing court orders, transporting prisoners, or heading a local police or fire department.
"The federal marshal escorted the key witness safely into the courthouse."
An officer of the highest rank in the armed forces of several countries, or a high-ranking official of a royal household or court.
"The field marshal reviewed the troops before the ceremonial parade began."
An official responsible for supervising, organizing, and maintaining order at public events, parades, ceremonies, or sports competitions.
"Track marshals waved yellow flags to warn the drivers of debris on the circuit."
• verb
To assemble, arrange, or organize resources, facts, thoughts, or people in a methodical and effective way for a particular purpose.
"The defense attorney took a moment to marshal her arguments before addressing the jury."
To guide, usher, or ceremonialize the movement of people, vehicles, or aircraft into their proper places.
"Ground crew members marshaled the passenger jet toward the arrival gate."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'marshal' (a law enforcement officer, military rank, or the verb meaning to organize) with 'martial' (an adjective meaning relating to war or the military, as in 'martial law' or 'martial arts'). In British English, the verb inflections double the final consonant ('marshalled', 'marshalling'), whereas American English typically uses a single 'l' ('marshaled', 'marshaling').
• Rhymes for marshal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'mareschal', from Frankish '*marhskalk', meaning 'horse-servant' or 'groom' (a compound of '*marh' meaning 'horse' and '*skalk' meaning 'servant'), which evolved over the Middle Ages to denote a high royal official and military commander.