Sergeant

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• serjant obsolete
• sergeaunt obsolete
• serjeant obsolete

Origin

From Middle English sergeant, sergeaunt, serjent, serjaunt, serjawnt, sergant, from Old French sergeant, sergent, serjant, sergient, sergant ("sergeant, servant"), from Medieval Latin servientem, accusative of serviens ("a servant, vassal, soldier, apparitor"), from Latin serviēns ("serving"), present participle of serviō ("serve, be a slave to"). More at servant.

Noun

1. UK army rank with NATO code OR-6, senior to corporal and junior to warrant officer ranks.
2. The highest rank of noncommissioned officer in some non-naval military forces and police.
• 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, Well Tackled! Chapter 13, “Yes, there are two distinct sets of footprints, both wearing rubber shoes—one I think ordinary plimsolls, the other goloshes,” replied the sergeant.
3. (legal, historical) A lawyer of the highest rank, equivalent to the doctor of civil law.
4. (UK, historical) A title sometimes given to the servants of the sovereign.sergeant surgeon, i.e. a servant, or attendant, surgeon
5. A fish, the cobia.

Related terms

• sergeant baker
• sarge

Anagrams

• estrange, grantees, greatens, reagents, rentages, segreant, sternage