n.
Pronunciation: ' sher- ə f
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English shirreve, from Old English sc ī rger ē fa, from sc ī r shire + ger ē fa reeve ― more at SHIRE , REEVE
Date: before 12th century
: an important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties (as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)
– sher · iff · dom \ - ə f-d ə m, -t ə m \ noun