sergeant at arms
Học thuậtThân thiện
The sergeant at arms stands guard at the entrance to the legislative chamber.
Definition
Noun: - A ceremonial officer responsible for maintaining order: A sergeant at arms is an official, typically serving a legislative body, court, or other organization, whose duties include ensuring security, keeping order, and executing formal commands or directives during proceedings.
Usage
The term "sergeant at arms" refers specifically to the official title of the person holding this role. It is used to identify the officer in formal contexts. - The sergeant at arms announced the arrival of the speaker. - The court's sergeant at arms escorted the disruptive individual from the room.
Advanced Usage
- Historical and Ceremonial Role: In many parliaments and congresses, the sergeant at arms carries a ceremonial mace, a symbol of authority, and is responsible for its security.
- The sergeant at arms placed the mace on its pedestal to signify the session was in order.
Variants and Related Words
- Sergeant-at-arms: An alternative hyphenated spelling of the same term.
- Parliamentary officer: A more general term for officials who manage legislative procedures and order.
Synonyms
- Bailiff: An officer of the court who keeps order and has duties similar to a sergeant at arms in a judicial setting.
- Usher: An officer who shows people to their seats and keeps order in a court or legislative chamber.
Related Phrases
- To call the sergeant at arms: A formal request for the officer to intervene to restore order.
- The chair threatened to call the sergeant at arms if the debate did not proceed civilly.
The sergeant at arms stands guard at the entrance to the legislative chamber.
Noun
- an officer (as of a legislature or court) who maintains order and executes commands