sergeant
/ˈsɑɹ.d͡ʒənt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.11 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A bailiff.
noun
A fish, the píntano (Abudefduf saxatilis), a species of damselfish.
noun
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Athyma; distinct from the false sergeants.
Example Sentences
- "“Yes, there are two distinct sets of footprints, both wearing rubber shoes—one I think ordinary plimsolls, the other goloshes,” replied the sergeant."
- "All other sergeants and barristers indiscriminately (except in the Court of Common Pleas, where only sergeants are admitted) may take upon them the protection and defense of any suitors."
- "sergeant surgeon, i.e. a servant, or attendant, surgeon"
Etymology
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 serviēns (“a servant, vassal, soldier, apparitor”), from Latin serviēns (“serving”), present participle of serviō (“serve, be a slave to”). Doublet of servant and servient. The shift from /vj/ > /dʒ/ was a regular development in Old French. Compare cavea > cage, salvia > sage. The fish is so called because of its stripes, supposed to resemble a sergeant's insignia of rank. The pronunciation with /ɑɹ/ is due to a widespread development of Middle English er + consonant (see barn, start etc.). In sergeant, the spelling was standardised in one way, the pronunciation in another (compare clerk, derby in Commonwealth English, further parson vs. person, and varsity vs. university).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: sergeant, servientem, serviēns
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈsɑɹ.d͡ʒənt/
- British English: /ˈsɑː.d͡ʒənt/
Usage
- British usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Military.