sergeant

[ sahr-juh nt ]
/ ˈsɑr dʒənt /

noun

Also especially British, ser·jeant (for defs 1–7, 9).

Origin of sergeant

1150–1200; Middle English sergant, serjant, serjaunt < Old French sergent < Latin servient- (stem of serviēns), present participle of servīre. See serve, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM sergeant

ser·gean·cy [sahr-juh n-see] /ˈsɑr dʒən si/, ser·geant·ship, noun

Words nearby sergeant

serenity, sereth, serevent, serf, serge, sergeant, sergeant at arms, sergeant at law, sergeant baker, sergeant first class, sergeant major

British Dictionary definitions for sergeant at law (1 of 2)

sergeant at law

noun

a variant spelling of serjeant at law

British Dictionary definitions for sergeant at law (2 of 2)

sergeant
/ (ˈsɑːdʒənt) /

noun

a noncommissioned officer in certain armed forces, usually ranking above a corporal
  1. (in Britain) a police officer ranking between constable and inspector
  2. (in the US) a police officer ranking below a captain
See sergeant at arms
a court or municipal officer who has ceremonial duties
(formerly) a tenant by military service, not of knightly rank
See serjeant at law
Also: serjeant

Derived forms of sergeant

sergeancy (ˈsɑːdʒənsɪ) or sergeantship, noun

Word Origin for sergeant

C12: from Old French sergent, from Latin serviēns, literally: serving, from servīre to serve