Constable

//ˈkʌnstəbəl// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    An English surname originating as an occupation from Old French conestable (“constable”).
  2. 2
    A town in Franklin County, New York; named for landowner William Constable.
  3. 3
    John Constable, English painter.
Noun
  1. 1
    One holding the lowest rank in most Commonwealth police forces. (See also chief constable.)

    "As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once."

  2. 2
    a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff wordnet
  3. 3
    A police officer or an officer with equivalent powers. UK
  4. 4
    a police officer of the lowest rank wordnet
  5. 5
    An officer of a noble court in the Middle Ages, usually a senior army commander. (See also marshal). historical
Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    The warden of a castle.
  2. 7
    An elected or appointed public officer, usually at municipal level, responsible for maintaining order or serving writs and court orders. US
  3. 8
    An elected head of a parish (also known as a connétable)
  4. 9
    A large butterfly, Dichorragia nesimachus, family Nymphalidae, of Asia.
Verb
  1. 1
    To act as a constable or policeman. dated, intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English constable, cunstable, constabil, connestable, cunestable, from Old French conestable, from Latin comes stabulī (“officer of the stables”). For the sense-development; compare marshal. Doublet of connétable.

Etymology 2

From Middle English constable, cunstable, constabil, connestable, cunestable, from Old French conestable, from Latin comes stabulī (“officer of the stables”). For the sense-development; compare marshal. Doublet of connétable.

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