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marchman

marchman

9.9
A person who lives near a border and guards it, often in medieval times
  • noun
  • /ˈmɑːrtʃmən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : fronterizo
  • The marchman was responsible for warning the village of any approaching danger.

Examples

  • Legends tell of a brave marchman who defended the border against invaders.

  • In medieval England, a marchman often lived in isolated outposts along the frontier.

  • The marchman stood watch at the castle gate.

  • Few marchmen were brave enough to defend the border.

  • In medieval England, a marchman often lived in isolated outposts along the frontier.

  • The marchman was responsible for warning the village of any approaching danger.

  • Legends tell of a brave marchman who defended the border against invaders.

Synonyms

marcher
vsmarchman
  • Archaic
9.9

A person from a border area, often in the old Welsh or Scottish frontiers

is broader, meaning a border resident or guard in medieval times
borderer
vsmarchman
  • UK
9.3

A person who lives near the line between two countries, for example between Scotland and England

is broader, meaning a medieval border resident or guard beyond that region

Surface Forms

marchman singular
marchmen plural

Morphology

marchman = march + man (opaque) = march + man

Although structurally march + man, the sense 'march' = 'border region' is archaic/rare and not familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not derivable.

Etymology

Marchman comes from the root march, an old word for a 'border' or 'frontier' between lands. So a marchman is someone who lives by or guards that border.