master-at-arms

[ mas-ter-uht-ahrmz, mah-ster- ]

noun

, plural mas·ters-at-arms.

1. an officer of a fraternal organization, veterans' society, or the like, empowered to maintain order, exclude unauthorized persons, etc. : MAA
2. Navy. a petty officer who has various duties, such as keeping order on the ship, taking charge of prisoners, etc. : MAA

master-at-arms

noun

1. the senior rating, of Chief Petty Officer rank, in a naval unit responsible for discipline, administration, and police duties

Word History and Origins

Origin of master-at-arms¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

Later in the book, after Billy strikes the master-at-arms, the captain deliberates before court-martialing and hanging Billy.

From Los Angeles Times

The crash injured the man and a Navy master-at-arms.

From Seattle Times

He’d grown up seeing his dad on telly – Casualty one night, The Bill the next – and the big screen, notably as the master-at-arms in James Cameron’s Titanic.

From The Guardian

“Isn’t she a beauty?” says the master-at-arms—that grizzled, muscular career seaman, covered in leering skeletal tattoos.

From Literature

Denison, a master-at-arms senior chief now stationed in South Korea, was recognized with a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his response to the shooting, as were two dozen others.

From Washington Post