catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Constable \Con"sta*ble\ (k[o^]n"st[.a]*b'l or
     k[u^]n"st[.a]*b'l), n. [OE. conestable, constable, a
     constable (in sense 1), OF. conestable, F. conn['e]table, LL.
     conestabulus, constabularius, comes stabuli, orig., count of
     the stable, master of the horse, equerry; comes count (L.
     companion) + L. stabulum stable. See Count a nobleman, and
     Stable.]
     1. A high officer in the monarchical establishments of the
        Middle Ages.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The constable of France was the first officer of the
           crown, and had the chief command of the army. It was
           also his duty to regulate all matters of chivalry. The
           office was suppressed in 1627. The constable, or lord
           high constable, of England, was one of the highest
           officers of the crown, commander in chief of the
           forces, and keeper of the peace of the nation. He also
           had judicial cognizance of many important matters. The
           office was as early as the Conquest, but has been
           disused (except on great and solemn occasions), since
           the attainder of Stafford, duke of Buckingham, in the
           reign of Henry VIII.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) An officer of the peace having power as a
        conservator of the public peace, and bound to execute the
        warrants of judicial officers. --Bouvier.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In England, at the present time, the constable is a
           conservator of the peace within his district, and is
           also charged by various statutes with other duties,
           such as serving summons, precepts, warrants, etc. In
           the United States, constables are town or city officers
           of the peace, with powers similar to those of the
           constables of England. In addition to their duties as
           conservators of the peace, they are invested with
           others by statute, such as to execute civil as well as
           criminal process in certain cases, to attend courts,
           keep juries, etc. In some cities, there are officers
           called high constables, who act as chiefs of the
           constabulary or police force. In other cities the title
           of constable, as well as the office, is merged in that
           of the police officer.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     High constable, a constable having certain duties and
        powers within a hundred. [Eng.]
  
     Petty constable, a conservator of the peace within a parish
        or tithing; a tithingman. [Eng.]
  
     Special constable, a person appointed to act as constable
        of special occasions.
  
     To overrun the constable, or outrun the constable, to
        spend more than one's income; to get into debt. [Colloq.]
        --Smollett.
        [1913 Webster]

  
  
     Note: The constable of France was the first officer of the
           crown, and had the chief command of the army. It was
           also his duty to regulate all matters of chivalry. The
           office was suppressed in 1627. The constable, or lord
           high constable, of England, was one of the highest
           officers of the crown, commander in chief of the
           forces, and keeper of the peace of the nation. He also
           had judicial cognizance of many important matters. The
           office was as early as the Conquest, but has been
           disused (except on great and solemn occasions), since
           the attainder of Stafford, duke of Buckingham, in the
           reign of Henry VIII.
  
     2. (Law) An officer of the peace having power as a
        conservator of the public peace, and bound to execute the
        warrants of judicial officers. --Bouvier.
  
     Note: In England, at the present time, the constable is a
           conservator of the peace within his district, and is
           also charged by various statutes with other duties,
           such as serving summons, precepts, warrants, etc. In
           the United States, constables are town or city officers
           of the peace, with powers similar to those of the
           constables of England. In addition to their duties as
           conservators of the peace, they are invested with
           others by statute, such as to execute civil as well as
           criminal process in certain cases, to attend courts,
           keep juries, etc. In some cities, there are officers
           called high constables, who act as chiefs of the
           constabulary or police force. In other cities the title
           of constable, as well as the office, is merged in that
           of the police officer.
  
     High constable, a constable having certain duties and
        powers within a hundred. [Eng.]
  
     Petty constable, a conservator of the peace within a parish
        or tithing; a tithingman. [Eng.]
  
     Special constable, a person appointed to act as constable
        of special occasions.
  
     To overrun, or outrun, the constable, to spend more
        than one's income; to get into debt. [Colloq.] --Smollett.