plainclothesman

American  

[playn-klohz-muhn, -man, -klohthz-] / ˈpleɪnˈkloʊz mən, -ˌmæn, -ˈkloʊðz- /

Or plainclothes man

noun

• plainclothesmen
  plural

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• plainclothesmen
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of plainclothesman

First recorded in 1925–30; plain clothes + man

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plainclothesman plainclothesmen

Just before one session began, a Western reporter asked a Soviet plainclothesman what time the Peking delegation was expected.

From Time Magazine Archive

If ever a screen character was ripe for self-parody, Eastwood's tough plainclothesman is, and he makes the most of his opportunity.

From Time Magazine Archive

Phillips testified that he knew of no plainclothesman assigned to gambling who was not on the take after two months.

From Time Magazine Archive

The quest is professional: Isaac Sidel is first deputy police commissioner, a plainclothesman eaten by dreams and ravaged by a tape worm fastened to his entrails.

From Time Magazine Archive

“How come they don’t get a plainclothesman after women like that?”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

A squad of plainclothesmen that happened to be nearby was ordered to respond to the call.

From US News ● Aug. 8, 2014

Thousands of police in riot gear were deployed to protect cinemas with plainclothesmen also inside the halls.

From Reuters ● Feb. 12, 2010

A few hours after that performance, Kirk, his aides, his troopers and his plainclothesmen all deserted the place and there was little likelihood that they would be coming back.

From Time Magazine Archive

The pair are escorted to the writer's hotel room by two plainclothesmen.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some others try to touch him but the plainclothesmen push them away.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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