e`tat" Ma`jor" (?). [F., fr. 'etat state + L. major greater.] Mil.
The staff of an army, including all officers above the rank of colonel, also, all adjutants, inspectors, quartermasters, commissaries, engineers, ordnance officers, paymasters, physicians, signal officers, judge advocates; also, the noncommissioned assistants of the above officers.
© Webster 1913.