catchpole

See also: Catchpole

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkatʃpəʊl/

Etymology 1

From Old French chacepol (one who chases fowls) (or a northern variant thereof).

Alternative forms

Noun

catchpole (plural catchpoles)

  1. (obsolete) A taxman, one who gathers taxes.
    • 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 247:
      With two such catchpoles as Henry and Uncle Fred at his heels there was nothing left for Grandpa Piper but to sign his abdication to the drapery business.
  2. A sheriff’s officer, usually one who arrests debtors.
Translations
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See also

Etymology 2

catch + pole

Alternative forms

  • catch-pole

Noun

catchpole (plural catchpoles)

  1. (historical) An implement formerly used for seizing and securing a person who would otherwise be out of reach.
    • 1843, Henry Shaw, Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages, W Pickering:
      The use of the catch-pole is said to have been to take horsemen in battle by the neck and drag them from their horses.

References

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