plainclothesman

[ pleyn-klohz-muhn, -man, -klohthz- ]

/ ˈpleɪnˈkloʊz mən, -ˌmæn, -ˈkloʊðz- /

a police officer, especially a detective, who wears ordinary civilian clothes while on duty.

QUIZZES

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First recorded in 1925–30; plain clothes + man

The police sergeant and plainclothesman exchanged a quick glance.
Dan Carter and the River Camp|Mildred A. Wirt
He lingered, but the plainclothesman was staring at the innocent, inviolable parcels about to leave the Embassy for distant parts.
The Pirates of Ersatz|Murray Leinster
She smiled in silent gratitude and allowed the plainclothesman to lead her away from that chamber of horror.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930|Various
Were they with some policeman as they came out of the building or in custody of some plainclothesman?
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

Followed by a plainclothesman, a middle-aged man entered the living room.
Murder at Bridge|Anne Austin