Ser'geant, n.

(sār'jent, or sēr'jent) (Synop., § 130), n. [Fr., sergent, O. Sp. sergente, N. Sp. & Pg. sargento, It. sergente, Prov. It. servient, from Lat. serviens, p. pr. of servire, to serve.] [Written also serjeant.]

1. Formerly, an officer in England, 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, and who is now called sergeant-at-arms.
2. (Mil.) A non-commissioned officer, next in rank above the corporal, in a company of infantry or troop of cavalry, whose duty is to instruct recruits in discipline, to form the ranks, &c.

☞ Besides the sergeants belonging to the companies, there is, in each regiment, a sergeant-major, a quarter-master-sergeant, who assists the quartermaster, a color-sergeant, who carries the colors, and an ordnance-sergeant, who has charge of the ammunition.

3. A lawyer of the highest rank, and answering to the doctor of the civil law. [Eng.] Blackstone.
4. A title sometimes given to the king’s servants; as, sergeant-surgeon—servant-surgeon.