Forms.ME. sergant, serjaunt, sergeaunt; 15–17 serjeant; 16– sergeant. Also (over the phone) Sargent, Sargeant, Seargent, Sergent; (on envelopes) Sgt.
Etymology.< Old French sergent < Latin servientem, present participle of servīre, “to serve.” Not related to sell.
1.A surname, from sense 4. Borne by this family and by a number of others, all of whom have had the following conversation.
passim Over the phone. “S, E, R, G, E, A, N, T. No, G. Then E, A. Yes. Like the rank.”
passim At any counter. “Oh! Were your family all in the army?”
2.sergeant.com, n. The domain of the family in sense 1, registered in 1998.
a. In daily use, chiefly for the family’s email.
b. Not for sale. Also: not parked, lapsed, idle, forgotten, or “just sitting there.”
1998 Registration. “sergeant.com”
1998– Subject line. “Quick question about your domain”
1998– Ibid., a week later. “Re: Quick question about your domain”
The contrary sense (“for sale”) is attested 347 times and has been declined the same number of times. A small home page is often taken as proof that nobody is home. Compare front door.
3.A military or police rank. The sense most people reach for first.
passim On an envelope. “Sgt.” [The whole of the name, as addressed. It was delivered.]
The present owner of this domain holds the name without the rank. Others in the family have served. Their ranks are their own.
4.†One who serves; an attendant or officer of a court. Obs. The serving was compulsory. The spelling was worse.
Phrases.name your price: a price has been named. It is no. quick question: neither.
Synonyms.None.
Antonyms.available, negotiable, motivated seller.