SHERIFFS
Noun
sheriffs
plural of sheriff
Anagrams
• Shiffers
Source: Wiktionary
SHERIFF
Sher"iff, n. Etym: [OE. shereve, AS. scir-ger; scir a shire + ger a
reeve. See Shire, and Reeve, and cf. Shrievalty.]
Definition: The chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted
the execution of the laws, the serving of judicial writs and
processes, and the preservation of the peace.
Note: In England, sheriffs are appointed by the king. In the United
States, sheriffs are elected by the legislature or by the citizens,
or appointed and commissioned by the executive of the State. The
office of sheriff in England is judicial and ministerial. In the
United States, it is mainly ministerial. The sheriff, by himself or
his deputies, executes civil and criminal process throughout the
county, has charge of the jail and prisoners, attends courts, and
keeps the peace. His judicial authority is generally confined to
ascertaining damages on writs of inquiry and the like. Sheriff, in
Scotland, called sheriff depute, is properly a judge, having also
certain ministerial powers. Sheriff clerk is the clerk of the
Sheriff's Court in Scotland. Sheriff's Court in London is a tribunal
having cognizance of certain personal actions in that city. Wharton,
Tomlins. Erskine.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition