catchpole

or catch·poll

[ kach-pohl ]

noun

1. (formerly) a petty officer of justice, especially one arresting persons for debt.

catchpole

/ ˈkætʃˌpəʊl /

noun

1. (in medieval England) a sheriff's officer who arrested debtors

Other Words From

• catchpoler·y catchpoller·y noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catchpole¹

before 1050; Middle English cacchepol, late Old English cæcephol < Medieval Latin cacepollus tax-gatherer, literally, chase-fowl, equivalent to cace- (< Old North French; catch ) + pollus < Latin pullus chick; pullet

Word History and Origins

Origin of catchpole¹

Old English cæcepol, from Medieval Latin cacepollus tax-gatherer, literally: chicken-chaser, from cace- catch + pollus (from Latin pullus chick)

Example Sentences

The usual forms of the court having been gone through, Margaret Catchpole was again placed at the bar.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus ended the career of Margaret Catchpole in England, where her virtues will long be remembered, together with her crimes.

From Project Gutenberg

About a mile from Basche's seat, the catchpole found himself somewhat out of sorts.

From Project Gutenberg

Thinking that they might be related to the catchpole that was bastinadoed, we asked them the occasion of their grief.

From Project Gutenberg

That numerical day, as chance would have it, came an old fat ruddy catchpole.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commissioner
• deputy
• envoy
• member
• minister
• nominee
• senator