Constable

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkÊŒnstÉ™bÉ™l/

Origin

Old French conestable ( >

French connétable), from Latin comes stabulī ("officer of the stables"). For the sense-development, compare marshall.

Full definition of constable

Noun

1. (British, NZ) A police officer ranking below sergeant in most British/New Zealand police forces. (See also chief constable).
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, 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. Officer of a noble court in the middle ages, usually a senior army commander. (See also marshal).
3. (US) Public officer, usually at municipal level, responsible for maintaining order or serving writs and court orders.
4. (Channel Islands) A elected head of a parish (also known as a connétable)

Synonyms

Derived terms

• constabulary