patrolman
UK: pəˈtrəʊlmən | US: pəˈtroʊlmən
n. a police officer who patrols a specific area
n. (historically) a member of a patrol, especially in military or security contexts
patrolman = patrol<to traverse or guard> + man<person>
- patrol: From French patrouiller ("to tramp through mud, patrol"), originally military slang, possibly derived from patte ("paw") + rouiller ("to rustle, stir"). Evolved to mean "to go the rounds to guard or inspect."
- man: From Old English mann ("person, human"), broadly used to denote roles or occupations.
Etymology Origin:
The word patrolman emerged in the early 19th century, combining patrol (emphasizing movement for surveillance) with man (indicating the role’s human agent). It reflects the shift from military to civil policing, where officers "walk the beat" to maintain order. The morphemes retain their original spellings, making the compound transparent for learners.
The patrolman walked his usual route through the neighborhood.
At midnight, the patrolman reported suspicious activity near the warehouse.
Modern technology has reduced the need for traditional patrolmen in some areas.
The young patrolman was commended for his quick response to the emergency.
Historically, a patrolman’s duties included checking street lamps for safety.