— constableship , n.
/kon"steuh beuhl/ or, esp. Brit., /kun"-/ , n.
1. an officer of the peace, having police and minor judicial functions, usually in a small town, rural district, etc.
2. Chiefly Brit. a police officer.
3. an officer of high rank in medieval monarchies, usually the commander of all armed forces, esp. in the absence of the ruler.
4. the keeper or governor of a royal fortress or castle.
[ 1200-50; ME conestable comes stabuli COUNT 2 of the STABLE 1 ]