Bow Street runner

/ bəʊ /

noun

1. (in Britain from 1749 to 1829) an officer at Bow Street magistrates' court, London, whose duty was to pursue and arrest criminals

Example Sentences

No chance of giving any one the slip in that direction; and no sign, either, of the Bow Street runner.

From Project Gutenberg

I believe that fellow is a Bow Street runner; if so, it is rum if we cannot manage to get even with him before we go.

From Project Gutenberg

Did you ever hear in your life of such a natural curiosity as a Bow Street Runner?

From Project Gutenberg

"Perfectly right," remarked the Bow Street runner, approvingly.

From Project Gutenberg

And he says that at home he had throttled a Bow Street runner before he went off with the smugglers.

From Project Gutenberg