ser|geant

ser|geant «SAHR juhnt», noun.

1. a noncommissioned military officer of a grade higher than corporal or an equivalent rank, especially: a) (in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps) a noncommissioned officer ranking next above a corporal and next below a staff sergeant. b) (in the U.S. Air Force) a noncommissioned officer ranking next above an airman first class and next below a staff sergeant.

2. a police officer ranking next above a patrolman, constable, trooper, or other ordinary policeman. A sergeant ranks next below a lieutenant or captain. Abbr: Sgt.

3. = sergeant at arms. (Cf. ↑sergeant at arms)

4. = sergeant-at-law. (Cf. ↑sergeant-at-law)

5. Obsolete. an attendant; servant, as of a soldier.

6. Obsolete. an offer of the court who arrested offenders, issued summonses, and enforced court orders: »

This fell sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest (Shakespeare).

7. Especially British, Obsolete. a person below a knight, and holding land in return for military service. Also, British, especially Law, serjeant.

╂[Middle English sergeaunte < Old French sergent, serjent < Latin serviēns, -entis serving (in Late Latin, a public official), present participle of servīre to serve < servus slave]