Dictionary.com
definitions

constabulary

1
[kuh n-stab-yuh-ler-ee]
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constabulary ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural con·stab·u·lar·ies.

the body of constables of a district.
a body of officers of the peace organized on a military basis.

Origin of constabulary

1
1350–1400; < Medieval Latin constabulāria, feminine of constabulārius constabulary2; replacing Middle English constablerie < Old French < Medieval Latin as above

constabulary

2
[kuh n-stab-yuh-ler-ee]

adjective

pertaining to constables or their duties.
Also con·stab·u·lar [kuh n-stab-yuh-ler] /kənˈstæb yə lər/.

Origin of constabulary

2
1815–25; < Medieval Latin constabulārius; see constable, -ary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for constabulary

detective, force, man, gendarmerie, policewoman, constable, police, patrolman, officer, corps, bluecoat, pig, blue, law, badge, bear, heat, bull, cop, bobby

Examples from the Web for constabulary

Historical Examples of constabulary

  • The splendid force of constabulary which are now for you would be against you.

    Ireland as It Is

    Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

  • I saw the constabulary going in force there this afternoon.'

    Lord Kilgobbin

    Charles Lever

  • I am, as you know, assistant superintendent to the constabulary force of the colony.

  • You can never tell what the next day may bring you Constabulary fellows!

    Terry

    Charles Goff Thomson

  • The map was symbolic of the Constabulary, whose duty it is to know all, to protect all.

    Terry

    Charles Goff Thomson

British Dictionary definitions for constabulary

constabulary

noun plural -laries

the police force of a town or district

adjective

of or relating to constables, constabularies, or their duties
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
Word Origin and History for constabulary
n.

1630s, "district under a constable," from Medieval Latin constabularia, from constabulus, Latinized form of Old French conestable (see constable). Meaning "organized body of constables" is from 1837. Earlier (mid-15c.) as an adjective, "pertaining to a constable."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper