undersheriff

American

[uhn-der-sher-if] / ˈʌn dərˌʃɛr ɪf /

noun

a sheriff's deputy, especially one on whom the sheriff's duties devolve when the office is vacant.

undersheriff British

/ ˈʌndəˌʃɛrɪf /

noun

a deputy sheriff

"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

Etymology

Origin of undersheriff

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; under-, sheriff

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even after the Appomattox surrender, the secessionist undersheriff, King, went on insisting, “We have been and are yet secessionist.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2024

This year the Civilian Oversight Commission heard sworn testimony from both the former sheriff and the former undersheriff during a pair of hearings about the tattooed groups.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2024

On Wednesday, the undersheriff did not directly address the allegations but said in an emailed statement that she is “certain the truth will be revealed as the investigation moves forward.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2024

When Tardy was appointed undersheriff in late 2022, she made history as the first woman to serve in that role.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2024

Turned out to be Wendle Meier, the undersheriff.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023