muster-roll

A sergeant checks the muster-roll before morning assembly.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Military personnel list: A "muster-roll" is an official register or list of the officers and soldiers in a military unit, used especially for checking attendance and organizing duties.

Usage Examples

• (He verified the names of all soldiers present.)
• (The official list was updated with new members.)
• (The commanding officer asked for the personnel list.)

Advanced Usage

• "to call the muster-roll": to read out the names on the list to confirm who is present or absent.

  • The officer called the muster-roll at dawn to account for all troops. (He read the list aloud to check attendance.)

• "to strike off the muster-roll": to remove someone's name from the official list, often due to discharge, death, or desertion.

  • After his injury, he was struck off the muster-roll of the regiment. (His name was removed from the personnel list.)

Variants and Related Words

• Muster (n): a formal gathering of troops for inspection or roll call.

  • The soldiers assembled for the morning muster. (They gathered for a formal check.)

• Roll call (n): the process of reading aloud a list of names to check attendance; similar in function to a muster-roll.

  • The teacher took roll call at the start of class. (She checked who was present.)

Synonyms

• Personnel register: an official list of people employed or serving in an organization.
• Roster: a list of individuals and their assigned duties or times, often used interchangeably with muster-roll in military contexts.
• Census: an official count or survey of a population, though less specific to military units.

Related Idioms

• "To pass muster": to meet required standards; to be considered acceptable after inspection. (Note: This idiom does not directly use "muster-roll," but it derives from the military practice of inspection.)
  • His work was good enough to pass muster. (It met the necessary standards.)