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Synonyms

catchpole

American  
[kach-pohl] / ˈkætʃˌpoʊl /
Or catchpoll

noun

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


catchpole British  
/ ˈkætʃˌpəʊl /

noun

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of catchpole

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

First responders from Wyandotte police department, fire department, and animal control used a catchpole to pull Lucy back to safety.

From BBC Mar. 3, 2022

He slowly uses a long tool called a catchpole to grab the freezing animal before pulling it to safety.

From Fox News Mar. 3, 2022

The officer put a catchpole around the dog’s neck and shoulder to slowly pull Jessie Lee closer safely so she would not fall.

From Seattle Times Dec. 14, 2021

In haste, keepers used a catchpole with a noose to move Nilly, another young lynx, to a vacant enclosure while work on her own took place.

From The Guardian Sep. 20, 2018

To the catchpole and his bums he ordered four ducats for civility money.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 4 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

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