sheriff
UK: ˈʃɛrɪf | US: ˈʃɛrɪf
n. 1. A county official responsible for keeping the peace and enforcing court orders in English-speaking countries, especially the U.S.
n. 2. Historically, the chief executive officer of the crown in a shire (England).
sheriff = shire<county> + reeve<official>
- shire: From Old English scīr, meaning "administrative division" or "county."
- reeve: From Old English gerēfa, meaning "steward" or "high-ranking official."
Etymology Origin:
The word "sheriff" originated in Anglo-Saxon England as scīrgerēfa (shire-reeve), combining scīr (shire) and gerēfa (reeve). The reeve was a royal appointee overseeing law and taxation in a shire. Over time, scīrgerēfa contracted to "sheriff," retaining its role as a local authority figure. The term persisted through Norman rule and evolved into its modern legal and law enforcement meanings.
The sheriff arrested the suspect after a high-speed chase.
In medieval England, the sheriff collected taxes for the crown.
The town elected a new sheriff to improve community safety.
The sheriff's department handles local law enforcement in rural areas.
Historically, the sheriff was the most powerful official in a shire.