The Collaborative International Dictionary
Drumhead \Drum"head`\, n.
The parchment or skin stretched over one end of a drum.
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The top of a capstan which is pierced with sockets for levers used in turning it. See Illust. of Capstan.
Drumhead court-martial (Mil.), a summary court-martial called to try offenses on the battlefield or the line of march, when, sometimes, a drumhead has to do service as a writing table.
Wiktionary
n. (context military English) A court-martial held in the field to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action.
WordNet
n. a military court convened to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action
Wikipedia
A drumhead court-martial is a court-martial held in the field to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action. The term is said to originate from the use of a drumhead as an improvised writing table, as an altar for religious services, or a traditional gathering point for a regiment for orders or decisions.
Usage examples of "drumhead court-martial".
In the Army of Eeree, now, a noblemanno matter how high his birthwho saw fit to insult his commander, openly question that commander's judgment and tender a challenge which he knew the commander's oaths would not let him take up would be brought before a drumhead court-martial and, most probably, a Steel Cult Council, as well.
In the Army of Eeree, now, a nobleman-no matter how high his birth-who saw fit to insult his commander, openly question that commander's judgment and tender a challenge which he knew the commander's oaths would not let him take up would be brought before a drumhead court-martial and, most probably, a Steel Cult Council, as well.
It's all going to happen here -- a bloody drumhead court-martial with no holds barred.