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 Word Forms

• catchpolery noun
• catchpollery 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

Mary Catchpole, 19, lost her mother, grandmother and several other relatives to the rare condition which affects the immune system, reducing her ability to fight infections.

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JR Catchpole, co-author of the paper and a space law expert at Foot Anstey LLP, said:

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Singer James Morrison's partner, Gill Catchpole, has been found dead.

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Ms Catchpole was found in her home in Whitminster, Gloucestershire, on Friday morning.

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Virus expert Dr Andrew Catchpole says pigs are a common source of newly emerging flu strains, because they can catch flu viruses from humans and birds which then mix and make new versions.

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Related Words

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