police

Overview

Meaning Now

• The civil force of a state, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.
• The regulation and control of a community, especially for the maintenance of public order.

Journey

The word originally referred to the general administration of a state or city. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the term shifted from denoting a concept of 'orderly government' to identifying the specific body of people charged with enforcing that order.

Evolution

1. Ancient Greek

   polis

   “city, city-state”

2. Ancient Greek

   politeia

   “citizenship, government, state”

3. Latin

   politia

   “civil administration”

4. Middle French

   police

   “public order, civil administration”

5. Early Modern English

   police

   “governance, regulation of order”

Connections

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Related to police

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