Constable

/ˈkʌnstəbəl/ · noun

Meaning

One holding the lowest rank in most Commonwealth police forces. (See also chief constable.).

Definitions by Sense

1. One holding the lowest rank in most Commonwealth police forces. (See also chief constable.)
2. (UK, law) A police officer or an officer with equivalent powers.
3. (historical) An officer of a noble court in the Middle Ages, usually a senior army commander. (See also marshal).
4. The warden of a castle.
5. (US) An elected or appointed public officer, usually at municipal level, responsible for maintaining order or serving writs and court orders.
6. (Channel Islands) An elected head of a parish (also known as a connétable)
7. A large butterfly, Dichorragia nesimachus, family Nymphalidae, of Asia.
8. (intransitive, dated) To act as a constable or policeman.

Example Sentences

As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.

Synonyms for constable

Antonyms for constable

Related Words

Word Forms

• constables
• constabling
• constabled

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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