I. pə-ˈlēs transitive verb
( po·liced ; po·lic·ing )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle French policier, from police conduct of public affairs; in other senses, from police (II)
Date: 1589
1. archaic : govern
2. : to control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police
3. : to make clean and put in order
4.
a. : to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulations
b. : to exercise such supervision over the policies and activities of
5. : to perform the functions of a police force in or over
II. noun
( plural police )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French, from Old French, from Late Latin politia government, administration, from Greek politeia, from politēs citizen, from polis city, state; akin to Sanskrit pur rampart, Lithuanian pilis castle
Date: 1716
1.
a. : the internal organization or regulation of a political unit through exercise of governmental powers especially with respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or prosperity
b. : control and regulation of affairs affecting the general order and welfare of any unit or area
c. : the system of laws for effecting such control
2.
a. : the department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powers
b. : the department of government charged with prevention, detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes
3.
a. : police force
b. plural : police officers
4.
a. : a private organization resembling a police force
campus police
b. plural : the members of a private police organization
5.
a. : the action or process of cleaning and putting in order
b. : military personnel detailed to perform this function
6. : one attempting to regulate or censor a specified field or activity
the fashion police