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Showing results for catchpole. Search instead for catchpollery.
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

  • catchpolery noun
  • catchpollery noun

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; catch ) + pollus < Latin pullus chick; 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.

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

The catchpole, having made shift to get down a swingeing sneaker of Breton wine, said to Basche, Pray, sir, what do you mean?

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