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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

catchpole en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • /ˈkatʃpəʊl/ (UK)

Etymology

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

Meanings

  1. (obsolete) A taxman, one who gathers taxes.
    • 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. 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, →OCLC, page 247:
  2. A sheriff’s officer, usually one who arrests debtors.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
catchpoll alternative lexicographic
catchpoles Number=Plur lexicographic

Relateds

myrmidon

Translations (4)

cs dráb (sheriff's officer) · cs biřic (sheriff's officer) · pl komornik (sheriff's officer) · pl egzekutor (sheriff's officer)

catchpole en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • /ˈkatʃpəʊl/ (UK)

Etymology

From catch + pole.

Meanings

  1. (historical) An implement formerly used for seizing and securing a person who would otherwise be out of reach.
    • 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. 1843, Henry Shaw, Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages, W Pickering:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
catchpoles Number=Plur lexicographic
catch-pole alternative lexicographic

Synonyms

man catcher

Translations (3)

es pertigal capturador (an implement used for seizing and securing a person) · pl widłochwyt (an implement used for seizing and securing a person) · es pértiga atrapadora (an implement used for seizing and securing a person)