marshalcy

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformalrare

   The rank, position, or period of service of a marshal, especially a high military or ceremonial officer.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural, like other rank words: 'he was raised to marshalcy'.

   Patterns

   • be raised to marshalcy
   • during his marshalcy
   • the duties of marshalcy

   He was raised to marshalcy after thirty years in the cavalry.

   During his marshalcy the army was completely reorganized.

   The ceremonies and duties of marshalcy filled most of his final years.

2. 2nounsingularformalrare

   The group of marshals in a country or organization, considered as a body.

   Grammar: Usually takes a singular verb and is often preceded by 'the': 'the marshalcy supported the reform'.

   Patterns

   • the marshalcy supported something
   • a meeting of the marshalcy

   The marshalcy opposed any cut in the ceremonial budget.

   A meeting of the whole marshalcy was called for the following spring.

Common combinations

be raised to marshalcy

He was raised to marshalcy in a quiet ceremony at the palace.

during someone's marshalcy

During her marshalcy, training standards improved sharply.

the duties of marshalcy

The duties of marshalcy included inspecting every garrison once a year.

be elevated to marshalcy

Only two officers have been elevated to marshalcy in the last century.

the rank of marshalcy

The rank of marshalcy sits above every other army appointment.

Synonyms and how they differ

marshalship

Almost the same meaning and equally rare; 'marshalship' is a little more common in modern writing about organizations.

command

Much broader: it can mean any position of authority, while marshalcy refers only to a marshal's rank.

office

A general word for a position of authority; use it when you do not need to name the exact rank.

Word family

marshal noun

A high-ranking officer or an official who arranges ceremonies and parades.

marshal verb

To arrange people or things in order, as in 'marshal the facts'.

marshalship noun

Another word for the rank or term of a marshal.

Commonly confused: marshalcy or marshalsy? marshalcy or marshal?

Practice

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