c.1200, "servant," from O.Fr.
sergent, from M.L.
servientum (nom.
serviens) "servant, vassal, soldier" (in L.L. "public official"), from L.
servientem "serving," prp. of
servire "to serve" (see
serve); cognate with Sp.
sirviente, It.
servente. Specific sense of "military servant" is attested from c.1290; that of "officer whose duty is to enforce judgments of a tribunal or legislative body" is from c.1300 (
sergeant at arms is attested from 1377). Meaning "non-commissioned military officer" first recorded 1548. Originally a much more important rank than presently. As a police rank, in Great Britain from 1839. Colloquial shortening
sarge is attested from 1867. M.E. alternate spelling
serjeant (from O.Fr.) was retained in Britain in special use as title of a superior order of barristers (1297, from legal L.
serviens ad legem, "one who serves (the king) in matters of law"), abolished 1880, from which Common Law judges were chosen; also used of certain other officers of the royal household.
sergeant-major is from 1573.
[sahr-juh
nt] 