policeman

UK: pəˈliːsmən | US: pəˈliːsmən

Definition

  1. n. a male member of a police force

Structure
police <public order>man <male human>
Etymology

The word "policeman" combines "police," derived from the Latin "politia" (meaning "civil administration"), and "man," from Old English "mann" (meaning "person," later gendered as "male"). The term emerged in the early 19th century to specify male officers as police forces formalized in Europe. The morphemes reflect societal roles: "police" denotes organized law enforcement, while "man" historically emphasized gender in the profession.

Examples

  1. The policeman directed traffic during the parade.

  2. A policeman helped the lost child find his parents.

  3. The suspect was arrested by an off-duty policeman.

  4. She thanked the policeman for his quick response.

  5. Policemen in this district patrol on bicycles.