Police
/pəˈliːs/noun
The civil force of a state responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing the law.
Did you know?The term 'police' comes from the Greek word for 'city' and was originally tied to the governance and order of urban spaces, reflecting a mystical balance in civic life.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πολιτεία (politeia)
“The condition of citizenship or governance in a city.”
Latin
Latin
politia
“Public order or governance.”
Old French
Old French
police
“Civil administration or governance.”
14th Century
Middle English
police
“The regulation of public order.”
Modern English
English
police
“The organized civil force for maintaining order and enforcing laws.”
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