Constable

(kün's tah-bl.) [Fr. connétable, from L. comes stabuli, count of the stable.] Anciently, and during the Middle Ages, an officer of high rank, who held the supreme command of an army, or other great military duty, and was also judge of the court of chivalry; of such were the C. of France, the Lord C. of England, the C. of the Tower of London, . The name was also applled to the keeper or commander of a castle.-(Eng. Law.) An officer appointed by the magistrates for the preservation of the peace; they are of three kinds: high C., petty C., and special C., the last-named being a body selected from householders, and sworn in to act for a limited time, in cases of tumult, apprehended riot .-(Amer. Law.) A petty officer who has charge of the public peace, power to serve writs, and is authorized to arrest, without warrant, any person or persons charged with felony, or with a breach of [s. 221]