summary court-martial

American  

noun

U.S. Military.

1. a court-martial composed of one commissioned officer, authorized to try minor offenses against military law.

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Example Sentences

Overlooked somehow in their summary court-martial, however, has been 50 years of history.

From Time Magazine Archive

As an aside to his wife, he said, “If any of the troops give you any lip, there will be a summary court-martial when the Great Santini gets home.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

I was able to discern a summary court-martial in my mind's eye, and that would knock my chances for a commission sky-highwards—because a man's military record must be absolutely spotless when he appears for examination.

From Danger Signals Remarkable, Exciting and Unique Examples of the Bravery, Daring and Stoicism in the Midst of Danger of Train Dispatchers and Railroad Engineers by Hill, John A.

What a fool he'd been to get scared like that, and a summary court-martial couldn't do much to you anyway.

From Three Soldiers by Dos Passos, John

On their arrival, the admiral held a summary court-martial, proving to them by his instructions that he was so warranted to do.

From The Phantom Ship by Marryat, Frederick