constable

¹

[kon-stuh-buhl, kuhn-]

noun

1. an officer of the peace, having police and minor judicial functions, usually in a small town, rural district, etc.

2. Chiefly British.,  a police officer.

3. an officer of high rank in medieval monarchies, usually the commander of all armed forces, especially in the absence of the ruler.

4. the keeper or governor of a royal fortress or castle.

Constable

²

[kuhn-stuh-buhl, kon-]

noun

1. John, 1776–1837, English painter.

constable

¹

/ ˌkɒn-, ˈkʌnstəbəl /

noun

1. (in Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc) a police officer of the lowest rank

2. any of various officers of the peace, esp one who arrests offenders, serves writs, etc

3. the keeper or governor of a royal castle or fortress

4. (in medieval Europe) the chief military officer and functionary of a royal household, esp in France and England

5. an officer of a hundred in medieval England, originally responsible for raising the military levy but later assigned other administrative duties

Constable

²

/ ˈkʌnstəbəl /

noun

1. John. 1776–1837, English landscape painter, noted particularly for his skill in rendering atmospheric effects of changing light

Other Word Forms

• constableship noun
• underconstable noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of constable¹

1200–50; Middle English conestable < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin comes stabulī count ² of the stable ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of constable¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin comes stabulī officer in charge of the stable, from Latin comes comrade + stabulum dwelling, stable; see also _count ²

Example Sentences

He was recorded by the BBC using derogatory and violent language about suspects who belong to ethnic and religious minorities while serving as a constable in the Central West Command Unit.

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Survivors have raised concerns about the suitability of the candidates shortlisted to chair the inquiry - including Annie Hudson, a former senior social worker, and Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable.

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The former judge also noted that during the course of the inquiry, former Police Scotland chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone said that the force was institutionally racist.

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One of the other names being considered to lead the inquiry is former deputy chief constable Jim Gamble.

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Benn has told it the police budget is a matter "for the justice minister to set and for the chief constable to prioritise".

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Related Words

• detective 
• patrolman 
• policeman 
• policewoman