n.1 Brit. a (also High Sheriff) the chief executive officer of the Crown in a county, administering justice etc. b an honorary officer elected annually in some towns.
2 US an elected officer in a county, responsible for keeping the peace.
Phrases and idioms:
sheriff court Sc. a county court. sheriff-depute Sc. the chief judge of a county or district.
Derivatives:
sheriffalty n. (pl. -ies). sheriffdom n. sheriffhood n. sheriffship n.
Etymology: OE scir-gerefa (as SHIRE, REEVE(1))