constable

English

Etymology

Old French conestable ( > French connétable), from Latin comes stabulī (“officer of the stables”). For the sense-development, compare marshall.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈkʌnstəbəl/

Noun

constable (plural constables)

1. (UK) A police officer ranking below sergeant in most British police forces. (See also Chief Constable).
2. Officer of a noble court in the middle ages, usually a senior army commander. (See also marshal).
3. (US) Public officer, usually at municipal level, responsible for maintaining order or serving writs and court orders.
4. (Guernsey, Jersey) A elected head of a parish (also known as a connétable)

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:police officer

Translations

police officer rank

Bulgarian: полицай (bg) m. Italian: appuntato (carabinieri) m., agente m. (polizia)

Russian: констебль (ru) m. Scottish Gaelic: maor-sìthe (gd) m. Swedish: konstapel (sv) c.

officer of a noble court

French: connétable (fr) m. and f.

Portuguese: condestável (pt) m. Russian: констебль (ru) m., коннетабль (ru) m.

elected head of a parish

French: connétable (fr) m. and f.

Jèrriais: connêtabl'ye m. and f.

Derived terms

• constabulary