‖ maréchaussée, n. Chiefly Fr. Hist.
(mareʃose)
Also with capital initial.
[Fr.: see marshalcy n.]
A French military guard under the command of a marshal. In mod. use, joc. or iron. (in French contexts), the police, the constabulary.
| 1775 T. Blaikie Diary Scotch Gardener (1931) 29 There is a garde called the Maréchaussée which padrols [sic] the roads. 1777 P. Thicknesse Year's Journey I. vi. 41 There was a guard of the Marechaussée, to prevent the prisoners' escape. 1879 Encycl. Brit. X. 142/1 It [sc. the word gendarmerie] has been since that time employed to denote a military police, whose duties are to watch over the public safety, keep order,..[etc.] This police force superseded the old maréchaussée. 1955 J. Thomas No Banners v. 43 If we disappear now..we'll have the whole Maréchaussée after us. 1974 N. Freeling Dressing of Diamond 202 The marechaussée..reappeared..in freshly pressed khaki gabardines. |