2. An officer of high rank, charged with the arrangement of ceremonies,
the conduct of operations, or the like; as, specifically: (a) One who
goes before a prince to declare his coming and provide entertainment; a
harbinger; a pursuivant. (b) One who regulates rank and order at a
feast or any other assembly, directs the order of procession, and the
like. (c) The chief officer of arms, whose duty it was, in ancient
times, to regulate combats in the lists. Johnson. (d) (France) The
highest military officer. In other countries of Europe a marshal is a
military officer of high rank, and called field marshal. (e) (Am. Law)
A ministerial officer, appointed for each judicial district of the
United States, to execute the process of the courts of the United
States, and perform various duties, similar to those of a sheriff. The
name is also sometimes applied to certain police officers of a city.
Earl marshal of England, the eighth officer of state; an honorary
title, and personal, until made hereditary in the family of the Duke of
Norfolk. During a vacancy in the office of high constable, the earl
marshal has jurisdiction in the court of chivalry. Brande & C. -- Earl
marshal of Scotland, an officer who had command of the cavalry under
the constable. This office was held by the family of Keith, but
forfeited by rebellion in 1715. -- Knight marshal, or Marshal of the
King's house, formerly, in England, the marshal of the king's house,
who was authorized to hear and determine all pleas of the Crown, to
punish faults committed within the verge, etc. His court was called the
Court of Marshalsea. -- Marshal of the Queen's Bench, formerly the
title of the officer who had the custody of the Queen's bench prison in
Southwark. Mozley & W.
Mar"shal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Marshaled (?) or Marshalled; p. pr. & vb.
n. Marshaling or Marshalling.]
1. To dispose in order; to arrange in a suitable manner; as, to marshal
troops or an army.
And marshaling the heroes of his name As, in their order, next to
light they came.
Dryden.