drumhead court-martial

noun

1. a court-martial held, usually on a battlefield, for the summary trial of charges of offenses committed during military operations.

drumhead court-martial

noun

1. a military court convened to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action

Word History and Origins

Origin of drumhead court-martial¹

First recorded in 1825–35; so called from the use of a drumhead as a table during the court-martial

Word History and Origins

Origin of drumhead court-martial¹

C19: from the use of a drumhead as a table around which the court-martial was held

Example Sentences

A drumhead court-martial sentenced the young Virginian to receive one hundred lashes on the bare back.

From Project Gutenberg

In the back of his head there formed a little picture—a drumhead court-martial, a provost guard, a tree and a rope.

From Project Gutenberg

So they contended, and both were brought before the drumhead Court Martial.

From Project Gutenberg

Summary procedure made it easy to decide that the sentence of drumhead court-martial was death.

From Project Gutenberg

We then took six of the leaders, and, holding a drumhead court-martial, sentenced them to be hanged.

From Project Gutenberg