undersheriff

American  

[uhn-der-sher-if] / ˈʌn dərˌʃɛr ɪf /

noun

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

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undersheriff British  

/ ˈʌndəˌʃɛrɪf /

noun

1. a deputy sheriff

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Etymology

Origin of undersheriff

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

Example Sentences

“He did maintain a very, very high standard about honesty,” said Neal Tyler, who served as undersheriff during the first two years of McDonnell’s term.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

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

The former undersheriff, Tim Murakami, has yet to comply with the commission’s subpoena efforts — but Deixler still raised questions about his affiliations during Friday’s hearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2024

Previously, the former undersheriff has cited a medical condition as his reason for refusing to testify.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2023

Then, instead of stopping immediately in Milagro, the agent drove north to the other block, manned by a county undersheriff and another state cop, Sal Bugbee, who also had nothing else to report.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols