constabulary

1
[ kuhn-stab-yuh-ler-ee ]
See synonyms for constabulary on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural con·stab·u·lar·ies.
  1. the body of constables of a district.

  2. a body of officers of the peace organized on a military basis.

Origin of constabulary

1
1350–1400; <Medieval Latin constabulāria, feminine of constabulāriusconstabulary2; replacing Middle English constablerie<Old French <Medieval Latin as above

Words Nearby constabulary

Other definitions for constabulary (2 of 2)

constabulary2
[ kuhn-stab-yuh-ler-ee ]

adjective
  1. pertaining to constables or their duties.

Origin of constabulary

2
1815–25; <Medieval Latin constabulārius;see constable, -ary
  • Also con·stab·u·lar [kuhn-stab-yuh-ler]. /kənˈstæb yə lər/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use constabulary in a sentence

  • In the absence of a Haitian military, the U.S. will inevitably assume the uncomfortable role of a de facto constabulary force.

    The Military Moves In | Ken Allard | January 14, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • constabulary was insufficient to cope with the marauders, and regular troops had to be sent to these provinces.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • The regular troops, the constabulary, and other armed forces combined were unable to exterminate brigandage.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • I am, as you know, assistant superintendent to the constabulary force of the colony.

    A Final Reckoning | G. A. Henty
  • One of the bands was that of the constabulary, playing really well, and with magnificent indifference to the other two.

British Dictionary definitions for constabulary

constabulary

/ (kənˈstæbjʊlərɪ) mainly British /


nounplural -laries
  1. the police force of a town or district

adjective
  1. of or relating to constables, constabularies, or their duties

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012