English edit

Etymology edit

From mediaeval Latin conestabularia, a noun use of the feminine version of conestabularius, from Latin constabulus, from comes stabuli, literally ‘master of the stables’.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /kənˈstæbjʊləɹi/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

constabulary (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to constables.
  2. Characteristic of police; police-like, rather than military.
    Constabulary missions are different from fighting wars.

Synonyms edit

Noun edit

constabulary (countable and uncountable, plural constabularies)

  1. A police force.
  2. The police in a particular district or area.

Usage notes edit

Constabulary is a collective noun and usually has no plural. Only when describing groups of constabularies is it used in the plural. For example, the constabularies of England and Wales form part of the constabulary of the United Kingdom.

Translations edit