constable

¹

[ kon-stuh-buhlor, especially British, kuhn- ]

noun

1. an officer of the peace, having police and minor judicial functions, usually in a small town, rural district, etc.
2. Chiefly British. a police officer.
3. an officer of high rank in medieval monarchies, usually the commander of all armed forces, especially in the absence of the ruler.
4. the keeper or governor of a royal fortress or castle.

Constable

²

[ kuhn-stuh-buhl, kon- ]

noun

1. John, 1776–1837, English painter.

Constable

¹

/ ˈkʌnstəbəl /

noun

1. ConstableJohn17761837MEnglishARTS AND CRAFTS: painter John. 1776–1837, English landscape painter, noted particularly for his skill in rendering atmospheric effects of changing light

constable

²

/ ˌkɒn-; ˈkʌnstəbəl /

noun

1. (in Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc) a police officer of the lowest rank
2. any of various officers of the peace, esp one who arrests offenders, serves writs, etc
3. the keeper or governor of a royal castle or fortress
4. (in medieval Europe) the chief military officer and functionary of a royal household, esp in France and England
5. an officer of a hundred in medieval England, originally responsible for raising the military levy but later assigned other administrative duties

Derived Forms

• ˈconstableˌship, noun

Other Words From

• consta·ble·ship noun
• under·consta·ble noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constable¹

1200–50; Middle English conestable < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin comes stabulī count ² of the stable ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of constable¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin comes stabulī officer in charge of the stable, from Latin comes comrade + stabulum dwelling, stable; see also count ²

Example Sentences

In June, Nick Adderly, the chief constable of Northamptonshire Police was sacked for exaggerating his naval rank and length of service.

From BBC

The 54-year-old, who was sacked as a Merseyside Police special constable last year over undeclared debts, has not responded to the latest allegations despite repeated attempts to contact him.

From BBC

Former assistant chief constable Tom Wood has written a book on the case, entitled Ruxton: The First Modern Murder.

From BBC

The Lancashire constable called me and said: “the suspect was lying.”

From BBC

He also called on the chief constable of Essex Police to apologise to Pearson or risk bringing the force into disrepute.

From BBC

Related Words

• detective
• patrolman
• policeman
• policewoman