Sergeant-at-arms

Sergeant-at-arms
Sergeant Ser"geant, n. [F. sergent, fr. L. serviens, -entis, p. pr. of servire to serve. See {Serve}, and cf. {Servant}.] [Written also {serjeant}. Both spellings are authorized. In England {serjeant} is usually preferred, except for military officers. In the United States {sergeant} is common for civil officers also.] 1. Formerly, in England, an officer nearly answering to the more modern bailiff of the hundred; also, an officer whose duty was to attend on the king, and on the lord high steward in court, to arrest traitors and other offenders. He is now called sergeant-at-arms, and two of these officers, by allowance of the sovereign, attend on the houses of Parliament (one for each house) to execute their commands, and another attends the Court Chancery. [1913 Webster]

The sergeant of the town of Rome them sought. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

The magistrates sent the serjeant, saying, Let those men go. --Acts xvi. 35. [1913 Webster]

This fell sergeant, Death, Is strict in his arrest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. (Mil.) In a company, battery, or troop, a noncommissioned officer next in rank above a corporal, whose duty is to instruct recruits in discipline, to form the ranks, etc. [1913 Webster]

Note: In the United States service, besides the sergeants belonging to the companies there are, in each regiment, a sergeant major, who is the chief noncommissioned officer, and has important duties as the assistant to the adjutant; a quartermaster sergeant, who assists the quartermaster; a color sergeant, who carries the colors; and a commissary sergeant, who assists in the care and distribution of the stores. Ordnance sergeants have charge of the ammunition at military posts. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) A lawyer of the highest rank, answering to the doctor of the civil law; -- called also {serjeant at law}. [Eng.] --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

4. A title sometimes given to the servants of the sovereign; as, sergeant surgeon, that is, a servant, or attendant, surgeon. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

5. (Zo["o]l.) The cobia. [1913 Webster]

{Drill sergeant}. (Mil.) See under {Drill}.

{Sergeant-at-arms}, an officer of a legislative body, or of a deliberative or judicial assembly, who executes commands in preserving order and arresting offenders. See {Sergeant}, 1.

{Sergeant major}. (a) (Mil.) See the Note under def. 2, above. (b) (Zo["o]l.) The cow pilot. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • sergeant-at-arms — sergeant at armsˈ or serjeant at armsˈ noun An officer of a legislative body or the Court of Chancery, for making arrests, etc • • • Main Entry: ↑sergeant …   Useful english dictionary

  • sergeant-at-arms — [sär′jəntət ärmz′] n. pl. sergeants at arms an officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club, etc. * * * …   Universalium

  • sergeant-at-arms — [sär′jəntət ärmz′] n. pl. sergeants at arms an officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club, etc …   English World dictionary

  • sergeant at arms — noun count an official in a court of law or other institution whose job is to make people obey the rules …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • sergeant at arms — an executive officer of a legislative or other body, whose duty it is to enforce its commands, preserve order, etc. [1350 1400; ME] * * * ▪ officer       an officer of a legislative body, court of law, or other organization who preserves order… …   Universalium

  • sergeant at arms — noun an officer (as of a legislature or court) who maintains order and executes commands • Syn: ↑serjeant at arms • Topics: ↑legislature, ↑legislative assembly, ↑legislative body, ↑general assembly, ↑law makers …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate — Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate ist die offizielle Bezeichnung für die Person, die für die Durchsetzung der Gesetze beim Senat der Vereinigten Staaten zuständig ist. Eine der wichtigsten Aufgaben des Sergeants ist es, für die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives — The United States House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms is an officer of the House with law enforcement, protocol, and administrative responsibilities. The Sergeant at Arms is elected at the beginning of each Congress by the membership of the …   Wikipedia

  • Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate — This article is part of the series: United States Senate …   Wikipedia

  • Sergeant-at-arms — At this period an officer of the crown, with authority to act in the king s name. Cf. Sergeant and Serjeant at law …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

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