gendarme

American  

[zhahn-dahrm, zhahn-darm] / ˈʒɑn dɑrm, ʒɑ̃ˈdarm /

noun

plural

gendarmes

1. a police officer in any of several European countries, especially a French police officer.

2. a soldier, especially in France, serving in an army group acting as armed police with authority over civilians.

3. (formerly) a cavalryman in charge of a French cavalry squad.

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gendarme British  

/ ʒɑ̃darm, ˈʒɒndɑːm /

noun

1. a member of the police force in France or in countries formerly influenced or controlled by France

2. a slang word for a policeman

3. a sharp pinnacle of rock on a mountain ridge, esp in the Alps

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Etymology

Origin of gendarme

1540–50; < Middle French, earlier gens d'armes, alteration of gent d'armes people at arms

Example Sentences

Eventually two French gendarmes spotted them through the undergrowth and walked, slowly, forwards.

From BBC

At first the gendarmes declined to intervene and stood watching from the shore.

From BBC

We counted eighteen French gendarmes watching them from the shore, declining to intervene.

From BBC

For all the calls for greater security at schools, this crime took place literally under the noses of armed gendarmes.

From BBC

Several attempts to cross the Channel were stopped by police and gendarmes on Sunday morning - including in Equihen-Plage, Calais and Sangatte - according to French authorities.

From BBC

Related Words

• constable
• detective
• man
• officer
• patrolman
• patrolwoman
• police
• policewoman