patrol (patrol)

[Formerly also patrole; = D. patroelje = G. patrolle = Sw. patrull = Dan. patrol, And the sheriffs, mounted "all a cap paris onée," with their blue coat attendance, rode the petroville [read pat rouille ] about the city almost all night, and no one attempted to make a bonfire. North , Examen, p. 580. 2. The guard or persons who thus go the rounds; specifically, a police constable whose duty it is to perambulate a "beat" or district for a certain number of hours, for the protection of life and property, and the preservation of the peace; also, such constables collectively. Flank patrols. See flank 1. - Horse-patrol. Same as mounted patrol. - Mounted patrol, an armed man or a body of armed men performing patrol duty on horseback. patrol lot ism (pā-trol'ot-izm), n. [F. patrouil lotisme , pat rouille , patrol, + dim. -ot + -is me, E.-ism.] A system of military police or patrol. [Rare.] The caricaturist promulgates his emblematic tablature: Le Patrouillotisme cha ant le Patriot is me, Patriotism driven out by Patrol lot ism . Carlyle, French Rev., I. vii. 1. patrolman (pā-trol' mạn), n.; pl. patrolmen (-men). 1. A member of the police force of a town or city who patrols a certain "beat"; one of the patrol; a policeman; specifically, in some large cities of the United States, a member of the principal body of the police force ranking below a roundsman. The patrolman expre ed a preference for a promenade with us. Harper's Mag ., LXXVIII. 627. Hence-2. One who goes over a certain course examining something, as the condition of an electric circuit. The chief lineman should have under his care all pole lines and outside construction of all kinds.. He should also have charge of the carbon-setters and arc - patrolmen . Electric Rev. (Amer.), XVI. 16.