Definition of: marshal

(mär′shəl) noun
1. An officer authorized to regulate ceremonies, preserve order, etc.
2. An official of the United States courts; also, the head of the police force or fire department in some cities.
3. In some European countries, a military officer of high rank; a field marshal.
4. In medieval times, a groom or master of the horse; later, as an officer of the king, a judge in courts of chivalry, etc.
—v.t. ·shaled or ·shalled, ·shal·ing or ·shal·ling
1. To arrange or dispose in order, as facts.
2. To array or draw up, as troops for battle.
3. To lead; usher. ♦ Homophone: martial. [<OF mareschal <Med. L mariscalcus <OHG marahscalh, lit., a horse–servant <marah a horse + scalh a servant]
—mar′shal·cy, mar′shal·ship noun
—mar′shal·er, mar′shal·ler noun