MARSEILLAIS; MARSEILLAISE
Mar`sei`llais", a. m. Mar`sei`llaise", a. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Marseilles, in France, or to its inhabitants. Marseillaise hymn, or The Marseillaise, the national anthem of France, popularly so called. It was composed in 1792, by Rouget de l'Isle, an officer then stationed at Strasburg. In Paris it was sung for the first time by the band of men who came from Marseilles to aid in the revolution of August 10, 1792; whence the name.

MARSEILLAIS; MARSEILLAISE
Mar`sei`llais", n. m. Mar`sei`llaise", n. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Marseilles.

MARSEILLES
Mar*seilles", n.

Defn: A general term for certain kinds of fabrics, which are formed of two series of threads interlacing each other, thus forming double cloth, quilted in the loom; — so named because first made in Marseilles, France.

MARSH Marsh, n. Etym: [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.]

Defn: A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant (Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; — called also bog asphodel. — Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant (Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five- finger. — Marsh elder. (Bot.) (a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree (Viburnum Opulus). (b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes (Iva frutescens). — Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). — Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas. — Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus (Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; — called also cord grass. The tall S. cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low S. juncea is a common component of salt hay. — Marsh harrier (Zoöl.), a European hawk or harrier (Circus æruginosus); — called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. — Marsh hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A hawk or harrier (Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk. (b) The marsh harrier. — Marsh hen (Zoöl.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and R. longirostris of salt-water marshes. — Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Althæa ( A. officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent. — Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary. — Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; - - called also water pennywort. — Marsh quail (Zoöl.), the meadow lark. — Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice (S. Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender. — Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant (Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort. — Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb (Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers. — Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea. — Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean. — Marsh wren (Zoöl.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

MARSHAL Mar"shal, n. Etym: [OE. mareschal, OF. mareschal, F. maréchal, LL. mariscalcus, from OHG. marah-scalc (G. marschall); marah horse + scalc servant (akin to AS. scealc, Goth. skalks). F. maréchal signifies, a marshal, and a farrier. See Mare horse, and cf. Seneschal.]

1. Originally, an officer who had the care of horses; a groom. [Obs.]