constable
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkʌn.stə.bəl//
- United Kingdom//ˈkɒn.stə.bəl//
- United States//ˈkɑn.stə.bəl//
- Australia//ˈkan.stə.bəl//
One holding the lowest rank in most Commonwealth police forces. (See also chief constable.)
noun
- 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
A police officer or an officer with equivalent powers.
- 3
historicalAn officer of a noble court in the Middle Ages, usually a senior army commander. (See also marshal).
- 4
The warden of a castle.
- 5
An elected or appointed public officer, usually at municipal level, responsible for maintaining order or serving writs and court orders.
- 6
An elected head of a parish (also known as a connétable)
- 7
A large butterfly, Dichorragia nesimachus, family Nymphalidae, of Asia.
Etymology
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.
verb
- 1
datedTo act as a constable or policeman.
Forms
- plural
- constables
- past tense
- constabled
- past participle
- constabled
- present participle
- constabling
- third person singular
- constables
constable · One holding the lowest rank in most Commonwealth police forces. (See also chief constable.)
Constable · An English surname originating as an occupation from Old…Constance · A female given name from Latin.constant · Unchanged through time or space; permanent.