sheriffn.
/ˈʃɛrᵻf/, U.S. /ˈʃɛrəf/, Scottish English /ˈʃɛrᵻf/, Irish English /ˈʃɛrəf/ 1.
a. England (and Wales). In England before the Norman Conquest, the scírgeréfa (also called scírman) was a high officer, the representative of the royal authority in a shire, who presided in the shire-moot, and was responsible for the administration of the royal demesne and the execution of the law. After the Conquest, the office of sheriff was continued, that title being retained in English documents, while in Latin and French the usual term was vice-comes, viscounte, which had been applied to similar functionaries in Normandy. The functions of the sheriffs of counties have been greatly restricted by successive changes. At the present time the sheriff (more fully called high sheriff at sense 2a), appointed for one year by royal patent, is nominally responsible for the keeping of prisoners in safe custody, the summoning of jurors for the High Court, the execution of writs and of the sentence of death. In addition to these duties, which are discharged by the under-sheriff, the high sheriff acts as presiding officer at parliamentary elections for the county, and is required to attend (with the ceremonial state demanded by custom) on circuit judges.Those boroughs and cities that were, until recently, ‘counties of themselves’, and also the city of Oxford, have or formerly had a sheriff (or in some instances two) chosen annually by the corporation; the office is now mainly honorary, the specific duties attached to it varying in different towns. The City of London elects annually two sheriffs, who were also Sheriffs of Middlesex until 1888.In some counties the office of sheriff was formerly hereditary. The last surviving instance of this was in Westmorland; the hereditary shrievalty of that county was abolished in 1850 by the Act 13 & 14 Vict. c. 30.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > [noun] > sheriff
sheriffc1034
reeve-
society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > sheriff or high sheriff
shiremanc1020
sheriffc1034
viscount1387
shire-reeve14..
high sheriff1450
α.
β. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 11061 A freinss kniȝt was at gloucetre þe sserreue þoru þe king.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 215 Justicis and schereves and stiwardis and bailifis.1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 447/1 Retourned by the Shereve of the Shire.c1450 Mirk's Festial 38 Gylbert, þat was scheryue of London.1493–4 in H. Littlehales Medieval Rec. London City Church (1905) 204 Item, payd to þe mayre and to þe ij sheryves.1619 in Lismore Papers (1887) 2nd Ser. II. 219 Paid the Shearives of Bristoll for the Costome dew to them.1687 in J. R. Bloxham Magdalen Coll. & James II (1886) 102 Whether the Bp. of Oxford was to be put in the presidents Office and yt being a Freehold by any but the sherive.γ. c1400 Brut 218 Sir Symond Ward..þat þo was shirryf of Ȝork.1415 in York Myst. Introd. p. xxxiv Ye Mair and ye shirefs of yis Citee. c14251 [see sense 1b]. c1450 Godstow Reg. 654 The shyryf of Oxenford-shyre. 1489 [see sense 1b]. 1551 Coventry Leet Bk. 797 The Shireyffes of the Citie for the tyme beinge.1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Northumberland xviii The shirif therof, Rafe Rekesby.1593 J. Norden Speculum Brit.: Cornwall (1728) 29 Shirereue, vulgerly the Shiriffe.1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 226 Shirifes.δ. c1400 Gamelyn 602 (Sloane MS.) Here cometh the Sherryf [Petworth sheref] and wil haue oure heedes.c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 965 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 332 Syne come þe serefe to þe ton, &, to hald þe law, set done.1522 Coventry Leet Bk. 680 All Comeners within this Cytte vndur the degre of a Scheryffe.1554 Yaxley in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. III. 314 Her Maiestie hath addressed forth her lettres to the Sheriefes of the Sheres.c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1633 (1955) II. 11 This yeare was my Father made sherif..for Surry & Sussex befor they were disjoyned.1676 in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. (Camden) 132 Saterday last wase ye day for choosing sherifs in ye city and in ye Hall.1710 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum II Sherive or Sheriff.1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 178 The county court is a court held every month or oftener by the sheriff.1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xi. 70 It is admitted, that the sheriffs obeyed the laws and performed their duty [in returning Mr. Wilkes].1788 Encycl. Brit. II. 209/2 An order was issued..to the sherives of most of the English counties.1835 1st Rep. Commissioners Munic. Corporations Eng. & Wales App. ii. 1165 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 116) XXIII. 133 The two Sheriffs are elected by the common council..for a year.1835 1st Rep. Commissioners Munic. Corporations Eng. & Wales App. iv. 2460 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 116) XXV. 1 [Norwich] Two Sheriffs are chosen yearly; one, who is called the Court Sheriff, by the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen; and the other by the freemen.1837 J. R. McCulloch Statist. Acct. Brit. Empire II. iv. ii. 245 A petition from the corporation of the city of London..is brought at once to the bar of the house by the sheriff.1871 W. M. Fawcett Law Land-lord & Tenant 182 The sheriff must first levy for the rent and then for the execution.1882 Act 45 & 46 Vict. c. 50 §170 The council of every borough being a county of itself, and of the city of Oxford, shall on the ninth of November in every year appoint a fit person to execute the office of sheriff.1888 Act 51 & 52 Vict. c. 41 s. 41(8) The sheriffs of the city of London shall not have any authority except in the city.1888 Act 51 & 52 Vict. c. 41 s. 46(6) The right of the mayor, commonalty, and citizens of the city of London to elect the sheriff of Middlesex shall cease, and it shall be lawful for Her Majesty the Queen to appoint a sheriff of the county of Middlesex.1972 Local Govt. Act c. 70 s. 219(1) Sheriffs appointed for a county or Greater London shall be known as high sheriffs.1974 C. A. Cross Princ. Local Govt. Law (ed. 5) xxvii. 488 The Queen in granting a charter to preserve the privileges of a city or borough existing prior to April 1, 1974, may confer on the city or borough the power to appoint a sheriff, as opposed to a high sheriff.ε. 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iv. 28 And sente side sondis to schreuys aboute, To chese swiche cheualleris as þe charge wold.1461 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 96 The shreve ys in a dought whedyr he shall make a newe eleccion of knyghtes of the shyre.1463 in F. W. Weaver Somerset Medieval Wills (1901) 197 That thoo which were wrongfully hurt when I was Sherve may be recompensid.1538 in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 195 Sir John Russell, schreyve of Wisitor schere.1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Cade xv James Cromer shrive of Kent.1605 London Prodigall iii. ii. 122 Shreeue, take your prisoner.1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 19 Like Aldermen, or Monster Shreeves, With Canvas Backs, and Velvet Sleeves.] 1683 J. Oldham Poems & Transl. 192 For Shrieve how oft he has been known to fine.1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xlv. 230 Before his head shall be condemned, because afterwards..all will be the king's, or the shreeve's.1796 J. Anstey Pleader's Guide i. 48 But let the Plaintiff, ere he sue In debt or case for money due, Swear to the sum, the writ indorse, And let the Shrieve said writ enforce.ζ. c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. ccv. vii In Yorkeshyre so the Rokeby with them mette, Shrief of the shyre.1518 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 142 William Dale one of the Shreffes of the Towne of Bristowe.a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 495 To þe Maire & shirffes.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxiv The Mayre and Shrifes were there present.1618 J. Taylor Pennyles Pilgrimage C 3 Thus I..Was giu'n from Mayor to Shriefe, from Shriefe to Iaylor.1691 D. Defoe New Discov. Old Intreague xxviii. 30 Nor Shrieffs, nor Mayor, nor Common Halls excus'd.c1771 S. Foote Maid of Bath i. 19 The suit his honor..made up twenty years ago, come next Lent, when he was shrieve for the county.c1034 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 54 An scirgemot sæt æt Ægelnoðes stane... Ðær wæs Bryning scirgerefa.
a1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 963 Ic gife þone tun..swa freolice þæt ne king ne biscop ne eorl ne sc [y] rreue ne haue þær nane hæse.
c1155 in Anglia (1884) VII. 220 Ealle mine eorlas & ealle mine scirereuan.
?a1200 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 192 Eadward king gret..all mine heued men and mine þeȝnes and mine sirrefan.
c1200 Moral Ode 50 in Trin. Coll. Hom. 221 Ne mai hit us binime no king ne no syrreue [other MSS. scirreue, schirreue, serreue].
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) xli. 106 Þe king hath igraunted to his poeple þat heo habben election of hoere schirreue, þerease schirreue nis noȝt þoru feo.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 361 A Shirreue hadde he been and Countour.
c1460 Brut 522 Þe yong men of þe mercerie.. held þe Mair & Shyreves stil in Chepe.
1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. xii. f. 52 Shyreeve.
1629 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 168 Shireue.
b. Scotland. In early times (from the 12th cent.) a high officer of a county with functions more or less analogous to those of the English sheriff of the same period, together with a civil and criminal jurisdiction of very wide extent. The office was commonly held by a noble, and was often hereditary; its judicial duties were performed by the sheriff-depute, who was necessarily a lawyer. The Act 20 Geo. II. c. 43 (1747) abolished heritable sheriffships, and in consequence of its provisions the office of sheriff, in the older sense, practically became extinct. The title of sheriff is now given to the sheriff-depute, who is the chief local judge in a Scottish county, and popularly to the sheriff-substitute, who usually hears cases in the first instance, subject to an appeal to the sheriff-depute. Both offices are now held for life, and the appointment rests with the crown.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > [noun] > sheriff in Scotland
sheriffc1425
sheriff principal1446
sheriff substitute1752
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > judge > [noun] > in Scotland
sheriff principal1446
Justice General1487
Senator of the College of Justice1540
commissary1567
justiciarc1575
Lord Justice General1586
sessioner1597
Justice Clerk1672
Lord Probationer1711
Lord Ordinary1722
sheriff depute1815
sheriff1816
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxvi. 4110 Schirrayf [v.r. Schirref] of Bute and of Cowalle.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxvi. 4389 Schir Gotheray þe Rose was..schirrawe of Ayr.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 1391 A schyrray gart this clerk son fra him pass.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 791 Schirrais he maid that cruell was to ken.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 190 Schyrreffys and bailȝheys maid he then.
a1567 W. Mure Hist. Rowallane 249 The Schereffe of Aire.
1712 J. Lauder Decisions (1761) II. 739 The brewers in and about Edinburgh, conceiving that the Sheriffs of Mid-Lothian had struck the fiars of victual too high.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary II. v. 129 The shirra sent for his clerk.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. ii. 54 I desire to be carried before some civil magistrate,..the sherra or the judge of the bounds.
1870 W. R. Greg Polit. Probl. 114 The then Sheriff of Lanarkshire.
c. Ireland. A high officer in an Irish county, whose status and functions were closely similar to those of the English high sheriff. There were also sheriffs in certain Irish cities and boroughs: cf. 1a.
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society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > sheriff or high sheriff > in Ireland
sheriff1542
1542 Irish Act 34 Hen. VIII (1621) c. 1. 238 The said Sherife of the said Shire [of Meath] for the time being.
1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 140 In each of these Counties Palatines, there were two Sheriffes;..As in Meth we find a Sheriffe of the Liberty, and a Sheriffe of the Crosse: And so in Vlster, & so in wexford.
1675 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 309 All is forfited and taken up by the Shiriffe or Senescall.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 36 The Sheriffs of Counties, and of Cities and Counties in Ireland are 40.
a1687 [see sheriff's peer n. at Compounds 1]. 1817 Act 57 Geo. III c. 68 Whereas it is expedient that the laws relating to Sheriffs in Ireland should be amended.
d. U.S. (See quot. 1828.)
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society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > specifically in U.S.
sheriff1662
federal agent1781
marshal1789
marshal1830
federales1958
1662 Laws of Virginia xliv. 26 The Sheriffs of James-City..shall be left to the Governour's free choice.
1788 Massachusetts Spy 8 May 3/3 The Mayor, the Sheriff, and some other persons interfered and rescued them, by lodging them in gaol.
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) The sherif, 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.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. ix. 274 A man was suspected, and the Sheriff most probably has possession of him by this time.
1876 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Tom Sawyer xi. 102 The Sheriff ‘was confident’ that he [sc. the murderer] would be captured before night.
1876 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Tom Sawyer xxiv Then the judge arrived, and the sheriff proclaimed the opening of the court.
2.
a. With defining word, as deputy sheriff, under-sheriff, vice-sheriff; high sheriff, the sheriff (in England and Wales, and in some Irish cities) as distinguished from a deputy or subordinate.
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society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > sheriff or high sheriff
shiremanc1020
sheriffc1034
viscount1387
shire-reeve14..
high sheriff1450
society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > sheriff or high sheriff > subordinate deputy
under-sheriff1450
deputy sheriff1716
vice-sheriff1874
1450 W. Lomnor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 36 The shreue of Kent..sent his vndere-shreve to the juges to wete what to doo.
a1455 Lett. Marg. Anjou & Bp. Beckington (Camden) 158 Th' occupacion of under sherreive in the countie of Midd.
c1510 Gest Robyn Hode xv, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1888) III. v. 57 The hye sherif of Notyingham.
1557 tr. T. More in Wks. II. 1421/1 Thomas More..being one of the vnder shriefes of London.
1559 J. Aylmer Harborowe sig. L2 Then must the hyghe Shrife be his frende.
1622 F. Markham Five Decades Epist. of Warre iii. vii. 106 The proverbe is, Twise an Under Sherife, euer a knave.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. ix. 489 Colonel Long, the High Sheriff of that County.
1716 Act 3 Geo. I c. 15 §10 It shall not be lawful..for any Person..to buy, sell, let, or take to Farm, the Office of Under-sheriff, Deputy-sheriff,..or any other Office..pertaining to the Office of High-sheriff of any County or Shire.
1830 Rep. Sel. Comm. Office High Sheriff 3 High Sheriffs are nominated by The King in Council, who, with His own hand, according to ancient custom, pricks the person appointed.
1830 Rep. Sel. Comm. Office High Sheriff 5 The appointment of competent persons as permanent Under Sheriffs, throughout the several counties of England and Wales.
1835 Tomlins' Law Dict. (ed. 4) (at cited word) The under-sheriff usually performs all the duties of the office, a very few only excepted, where the personal presence of the high-sheriff is necessary.
1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. (1896) III. xx. 435 In 1319 Matthew of Crauthorn, who had been elected..to be Knight of the shire for Devon, petitioned the council against the undue return made by the vice-sheriff, who had substituted another name.
b. Scotland. sheriff depute, sheriff substitute: see 1b sheriff major, sheriff principal: designations formerly given to the sheriff (in the original sense) to distinguish him from the sheriff depute; in modern use, the sheriff-depute is sometimes called sheriff-principal in contradistinction to the sheriff-substitute. †sheriff wardator: see wardatar n. †sheriff in that part: a person appointed to supply the place of the sheriff for executing process.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > [noun] > sheriff in Scotland
sheriffc1425
sheriff principal1446
sheriff substitute1752
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > judge > [noun] > in Scotland
sheriff principal1446
Justice General1487
Senator of the College of Justice1540
commissary1567
justiciarc1575
Lord Justice General1586
sessioner1597
Justice Clerk1672
Lord Probationer1711
Lord Ordinary1722
sheriff depute1815
sheriff1816
1446 in C. Innes Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis (1845) I. 244 Sir Alexander of Forbes..scheref depute of Aberdene.
1473 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 45 To Adam Bachillur, passande with the Kingis lettres, xvto Octobris, as schiref in that part for the inbringing of Schire William of Rendis gudis.
1489 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 109 The Schirra deput and bailȝeis of Hadington.
1501 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1900) II. 115 Lord Erskin, schiref principale of Selkyrk.
1532 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1905) VI. 116 The Shereffis Deputis of Edinburgh.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 45 Conflict betwix The Sherrife of Perth and Johne Gormak the Shireff maior.
1597 in J. Stuart Misc. Spalding Club (1841) I. 176 Mr. Thomas Leslye, syreff deput of Abirdene.
1671 Aberdeen Reg. (1872) IV. 276 Tuo of the baillies..to goe to the Earle Marshell, shirreff-principal.
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 249 The said Lords Reverse the foresaid Sentence of the said Sheriff-substitute.
1754 in Minutes of Evid. Nairne Peerage (1873) 50 in Sessional Papers House of Lords (H.L. A) XII. 65 John Richardson sheriff substitute of the shire of Perth.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. x. 151 The Sheriff-depute of the county arrived at Ellangowan next morning by day-break.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xii. 194 A very decent man, sir; the sheriff substitute of the county.
1834 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 1 442/2 30 Sheriff-Deputeships, varying from £300 to £800 a-year. 48 Sheriff-Substituteships in the gift of the Sheriffs-depute..varying from £150 to £600.
1866 Cornhill Mag. Aug. 247 There are two orders of sheriffs—the sheriff-substitutes, who reside each in the locality to which he has been appointed, and the sheriff-deputes (or ‘sheriffs’ simply), who hold courts at intervals.
1894 Act 57 & 58 Vict. c. 40 §7 The expression ‘Sheriff’ shall not include Sheriff Substitute.
3. † a. transferred. Applied to officers (in foreign countries) with functions analogous to those of the sheriff; a governor of a district or city. Obsolete.
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society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > specifically in foreign countries
sheriffa1225
bailiff1681
a1225 St. Marher. 2 Olibrius hehte schirreue of þat lond.
c1290 St. Leonard 103 in S. Eng. Leg. 459 Þe scherreue of leouns feteres made strongue.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2286 In al Denemark ne was no knith, Ne conestable, ne shireue,..Þat he ne com biforn sire Ubbe.
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 2564 Hit was a knight, a riche scherreue.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xxiii. 8 Iosua ye shreue of the cite.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Esdras iv. 47 Then Darius..wrote a letter vnto all the debytes and shreues.
1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (ii.) f. 24v Daniel & his felowes were sought of Arioch the shryue to be slayne.
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 51 There was a certayn sherif in Egypt which tooke ij. naughty murtheryng robbers [etc.].
b. Short for sheriff's officer n. at Compounds 1; = bailiff n. 2.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > official who executes orders of court > bailiff
beadlec1000
ridemanlOE
cacherela1325
outrider1332
bailiff1377
catchpolea1382
bailiec1386
officer?1387
sheriff's manc1400
attacher1440
messenger1482
tipped staffc1500
servitor1527
bailie-errant1528
processar1534
bum-bailiff1560
tipstaff1570
nut-hook1600
saffo1607
servera1612
bailiff-errant1612
bum-bailey1615
process servera1616
buckle-bosom1622
bumbee1653
exploiter1653
moar1656
bum1659
bummer1675
bumbail1696
bulldog1699
sheriff's officer1703
bum-trap1749
bound-bailiff1768
shelly-coata1774
body snatcher1778
lurcher1785
fool-finder1796
messenger1801
bugaboo1809
borough-bailiff1812
sheriff mair1812
speciality1815
grab1823
legalist1835
candy man1863
writter1882
sheriff1928
1928 Daily Mail 30 July 7/1 You have had the sheriff in your house?
1928 Daily Mail 30 July 7/1 Who put the sheriff into your house?
Compounds
C1. † sheriff geld n. (also sheriff's geld, sheriff gild, sheriff's gild, sheriff yeld, sherrif's yeld) Obsolete the payment made by the sheriff for the ‘ferm’ (farm n.2 Phrases 4) of his shire.† sheriff gloves n. (also sheriff's gloves) Scottish Obsolete a perquisite of the sheriff levied at a fair.† sheriff house n. (also sheriff's house) Obsolete ? the official residence of a sheriff (or of a similar official in foreign countries).† sheriff-man n. Dublin Obsolete = sheriff's peer n. † sheriff roll n. Scottish Obsolete the roll on which the proceedings of the sheriff's court were recorded.† sheriff silver n. Obsolete = sheriff geld n.† sheriff's man n. Obsolete = sheriff's officer n.; also Shropshire dialect the goldfinch (see quot. 1796).† sheriff's officer n. (also sheriff officer) Obsolete Scottish an official employed to execute the sheriff's writs, to distrain and arrest.† sheriff's peer n. Obsolete one of a class of members of the corporation of Dublin (before 1840) ranking next to the aldermen, and including all ex-sheriffs.
sheriff clerk n. the clerk of the sheriff's court; hence sheriffclerkship.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > registrar or clerk > clerk of sheriff court
shire-clerk1495
sheriff clerk1564
sheriff's clerk1564
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > registrar or clerk > clerk of sheriff court > office of
sheriffclerkship1564
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. iv. 168 A schireues clerke.
1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 274 James Makbrok of Campsy, allegit heretabill Sherefclerk of the said Sherefdome.
1679 Acts Sederunt Scotl. (1740) I. 118 All Shirriff-Clarks to bring in their Registers of Hornings to be marked by the Clark of Register.
1875 Encycl. Brit. III. 290/1 The counted and rejected papers..are..transmitted by the returning officer to the clerk of the Crown in Chancery in England, or the sheriff-clerk in Scotland.
sheriff court n. a court in which the sheriff or his deputy administers justice.
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society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > sheriff court
sheriff court1564
rere county1607
sheriff's court1894
1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 275 To deliver to the said James Drummond the Sherefcourt bukis.
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) App. 264 That no Person shall be obliged to appear before the Sheriff-court, unless he be cited upon a proper Summons.
1835 Tomlins' Law Dict. (ed. 4) at London The Sheriffs' Court, holden before their steward or judge.
sheriff fee n. Scottish a payment due to the sheriff.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > local or municipal taxes or dues > [noun] > payments levied by sheriff
hundred-penny1189
sheriff's tooth1298
shire-wyte1425
sheriff gloves1528
sheriff fee1603
1603 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 515/1 With all uther custumes, schireff feis, dewteis and exactiones in and about the said burgh.
1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. i. iv. §38 Sheriffs were also intitled to the twentieth part of the sums contained in every decree, in name of sheriff-fee.
sheriff fiars n. Scottish plural (see fiars n.).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > [noun] > artificially arranged prices
staple ratea1628
sheriff fiars1689
fiars1723
pool price1872
parity1941
support price1943
shadow-price1965
trigger price1978
1689 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1875) XII. 55/2 Þt the pryce of victwall payable furth of the shyre of fyfe to the Exchequer for cropt 1688 be payed conforme to the present shirref fiars of the said shyre.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for privilege > [noun] > payment made by sheriff
sheriff geld1301
sheriff silver1324
1301 Yorksh. Inquisitions (Yks. Rec. Soc.) III. 145 Rendering annually to the said heiress for Castelward and Schirefgeld 6d.
1376 Rolls of Parl. II. 348/2 Une Rente q'est appelle Shereveyeld q amounte a xiiiili. xixs. id. par an, provenantz des ditz deux Rapes.
1385 Rolls of Parl. III. 211/2 Shereves-yeld.
1543 in J. R. Walbran Mem. Abbey St. Mary of Fountains (1863) I. 407 Paid to the exchetor..for the Sherifgylde, ijs.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > local or municipal taxes or dues > [noun] > payments levied by sheriff
hundred-penny1189
sheriff's tooth1298
shire-wyte1425
sheriff gloves1528
sheriff fee1603
1528 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1871) 3 That na shereff gluiffes be tayne..fra na maner of persoun fra this present fair.
1603 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 514/1 Lie schireff-gluiffis.
1641 Peebles Burgh Rec. (1872) 104 Thrie frie faires..togidder with the sheref fie, shereffis glowes, tolles [etc.].
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society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > sheriff or high sheriff > residence of
sheriff housea1505
a1505 in C. L. Kingsford Chron. London (1905) 262 Sir William Capell, after his prisonment in the Countour, and Shryvishouse was..commaundid to the Tower.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries iv. 6 b In witnesse whereof, the saied Deputies to this present Treatie haue sette to their handes, in the Sherief house of Gant.
sheriff mair n. (also sheriff's mair) [mayor n. 3] Scottish = sheriff's officer n.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > official who executes orders of court > bailiff
beadlec1000
ridemanlOE
cacherela1325
outrider1332
bailiff1377
catchpolea1382
bailiec1386
officer?1387
sheriff's manc1400
attacher1440
messenger1482
tipped staffc1500
servitor1527
bailie-errant1528
processar1534
bum-bailiff1560
tipstaff1570
nut-hook1600
saffo1607
servera1612
bailiff-errant1612
bum-bailey1615
process servera1616
buckle-bosom1622
bumbee1653
exploiter1653
moar1656
bum1659
bummer1675
bumbail1696
bulldog1699
sheriff's officer1703
bum-trap1749
bound-bailiff1768
shelly-coata1774
body snatcher1778
lurcher1785
fool-finder1796
messenger1801
bugaboo1809
borough-bailiff1812
sheriff mair1812
speciality1815
grab1823
legalist1835
candy man1863
writter1882
sheriff1928
1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair ii. xxxii. 38 Sheriffs learn'd, and unlearn'd Sheriff-mairs, And messengers-at-arms.
Categories »
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society > law > administration of justice > court papers > [noun] > records of court proceedings
recordc1400
sheriff roll1534
postea1587
iter1598
bundle1678
office copy1776
1534 in Exch. Rolls Scot. XVI. 584 Quhilk charter is registrat on the bak of schiref roll of this instant yer.
sheriff's clerk n. Scottish
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > registrar or clerk > clerk of sheriff court
shire-clerk1495
sheriff clerk1564
sheriff's clerk1564
1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 274 The office of Sherefclerkschip of the said Sherifdome.
sheriff's court n. Scottish
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society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > sheriff court
sheriff court1564
rere county1607
sheriff's court1894
1894 Scots Law Times 1 701 Except in Sheriff Court Cases, the figures refer to the number of the Case, and not to the number of the Page.
1962 T. B. Smith Scotland iv. 102 The sheriff court has jurisdiction to try all crimes committed within the sheriffdom, except treason, murder, attempt to murder, rape, incest, certain offences against the Official Secrets Acts, deforcement of messengers, and breach of duty by magistrates.
1978 Dumfries Courier 13 Oct. 2/5 The sequel took place at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Friday when Savage pleaded guilty to the offence.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for privilege > [noun] > payment made by sheriff
sheriff geld1301
sheriff silver1324
1324 in Registrum Monasterii de Winchelcumba (1892) 351 Faciendo insuper annis singulis Schirreveselver et alia servicia forinseca.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > official who executes orders of court > bailiff
beadlec1000
ridemanlOE
cacherela1325
outrider1332
bailiff1377
catchpolea1382
bailiec1386
officer?1387
sheriff's manc1400
attacher1440
messenger1482
tipped staffc1500
servitor1527
bailie-errant1528
processar1534
bum-bailiff1560
tipstaff1570
nut-hook1600
saffo1607
servera1612
bailiff-errant1612
bum-bailey1615
process servera1616
buckle-bosom1622
bumbee1653
exploiter1653
moar1656
bum1659
bummer1675
bumbail1696
bulldog1699
sheriff's officer1703
bum-trap1749
bound-bailiff1768
shelly-coata1774
body snatcher1778
lurcher1785
fool-finder1796
messenger1801
bugaboo1809
borough-bailiff1812
sheriff mair1812
speciality1815
grab1823
legalist1835
candy man1863
writter1882
sheriff1928
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > arboreal families > family Fringillidae (finch) > [noun] > subfamily Carduelinae > genus Carduelis > carduelis carduelis (goldfinch)
goldfincheOE
goldspinka1522
carduel?1530
thistle-finch1589
thistlewarp1598
fool's coata1682
grey pate1728
tailor-warbler1783
redcap1785
sheriff's man1796
goldie?1800
King Harry1824
sweet-william1848
tailor1848
thistle-bird1872
thistle-feeder1904
c1400 Gamelyn 583 It ben the schirrefes men, that hider ben i~come.
c1510 Gest Robyn Hode cliii, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1888) III. v. 63 Now is Litell John the sherifes man.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 226 When he [Sir T. More] was to mount the scaffold, hee saide to one of the Shiriffes men, I pray thee helpe mee vp, as for comming downe I take no care.
1670 J. Dryden & W. Davenant Shakespeare's Tempest Epil. 83 He sends me only like a Sh'riffs man here To let you know the Malefactor's neer.
1796 F. Leighton MS. Let. to J. Boucher 10 May I am promised some gleanings of Shropshire words. As to Sheriff's man for Goldfinch..the Corbets..were often Sheriffs of the County; their livery was black and yellow, the colour of the goldfinch's penfeathers.
1841 C. H. Hartshorne Salopia Antiqua 562 Sheriff's Man, the seven coloured linnet, Carduelis of Linnæus.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Sheriff's-man, the Goldfinch.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > an officer of the court > [noun] > official who executes orders of court > bailiff
beadlec1000
ridemanlOE
cacherela1325
outrider1332
bailiff1377
catchpolea1382
bailiec1386
officer?1387
sheriff's manc1400
attacher1440
messenger1482
tipped staffc1500
servitor1527
bailie-errant1528
processar1534
bum-bailiff1560
tipstaff1570
nut-hook1600
saffo1607
servera1612
bailiff-errant1612
bum-bailey1615
process servera1616
buckle-bosom1622
bumbee1653
exploiter1653
moar1656
bum1659
bummer1675
bumbail1696
bulldog1699
sheriff's officer1703
bum-trap1749
bound-bailiff1768
shelly-coata1774
body snatcher1778
lurcher1785
fool-finder1796
messenger1801
bugaboo1809
borough-bailiff1812
sheriff mair1812
speciality1815
grab1823
legalist1835
candy man1863
writter1882
sheriff1928
1703 J. Lauder Decisions (1761) II. 196 Here the sheriff-officers were only brought pro more.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 12 The warrant's awa to Liberton wi' twa sherriff officers seeking ye.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxix. 426 Giving Mr. Pickwick a friendly tap on the shoulder, the sheriff's officer—for such he was—threw his card on the counterpane.
1843 A. Bethune Sc. Peasant's Fire-side 70 The sheriff's-officers proceeded to take him into custody.
1932 Encycl. Laws Scotl. XIII. 527 Sheriff Officers are the persons by whom writs are served and executions carried out in the Sheriff Courts.
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society > authority > office > holder of office > other municipal officials > [noun] > of Dublin
sheriff's peera1687
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 41 There are in the City of Dublin a Lord-Mayor, 2 Sheriffs, 24 Aldermen, 48 Sheriffs Peers, and 96 of the Common-Council.
sheriff's punch n. an instrument formerly used by sheriffs in some ancient cities and boroughs for punching a mark on a freeman's copy or certificate of freedom at the time when he recorded his vote.
sheriff's sale n. North American a public sale conducted by a sheriff following a court order for seizure and sale of property to satisfy a judgment.
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society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > [noun] > other types of sale
rummage sale1756
handsale1766
trade sale1774
sheriff's sale1798
private treaty1858
asset sale1921
pre-sale1938
garage sale1966
tag sale1966
yard sale1976
car boot1995
1798 Pittsburgh Gaz. 6 Oct. 1/2 (advt.) Sheriff's Sales.
1883 Brandon (Manitoba) Daily Mail 9 Jan. 4/1 There will be a sheriff's sale of goods and chattels belonging to the late firm of Hambly & Miller, barbers, etc., on Saturday next.
1947 Steamboat (Colorado) Pilot 30 Jan. 2/8 The electric light plant..was sold at sheriff's sale.
1966 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 6 Sept. 30/1 Sheriff's Sale of Lands—Under and by Virtue of an Execution issued out of the Ninth Division Court of the County of York to me directed against the lands and tenements of [etc.].
sheriff tourn n. (also sheriff turn, sheriff tourney, sheriff's tourn, sheriff's turn, sheriff's tourney) see tourn n., tourney n.2
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society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > a or the session of a court > [noun] > circuit made by judge or sheriff
eyrec1350
justry1420
sheriff tourn1432
tourn1432
progress?c1450
tourney1451
circuit1503
wayc1503
iter1647
1432 Rolls of Parl. IV. 403/2 Defautes for noun comyng unto ye Shirrefs tourn.
1451 Rolls of Parl. V. 217/2 Sheref Tournes.
1536 in J. Raine Priory of Hexham (1864) I. App. p. cxxxix The sade Sir Ingram..as shiref of Northumbeland..kept shiref-turnes at Alnwik.
1648 in J. R. Boyle Early Hist. Town & Port of Hedon (1895) App. p. xlvii To the Sherifturne Jurie [£]0 4[s.] 8[d.].
C2.
a. † sheriff's tub n. Obsolete a basket or tub placed outside a prison to receive charitable doles for the prisoners.† sheriff's posts n. Obsolete two painted posts, set up at the sheriff's door, to which proclamations were affixed (cf. post n.1 2b).
sheriff's basket n. = sheriff's tub n.
ΚΠ
a1640 P. Massinger City-Madam (1658) i. i. 114 Did our charitie redeem thee out of prison,..When the Sheriffs basket, and his broken meat Were your Festivall exceedings.
ΚΠ
1600 T. Nashe Summers Last Will 1678, in Wks. (1905) III. 286 That's as plentifull almes for the plague as the sheriffes tub to them of Newgate.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > publishing or spreading by leaflets or notices > [noun] > placarding, postering, or billing > noticeboard > types of
sheriff's posts1600
number board1857
pole-board1909
pinboard1925
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor iii. iii. sig. Kiiiv How long should I be ere I should put off To my Lord Chancelors tombe, or the Shriues posts? View more context for this quotation
b. In later trivial and slang phrases (see quots.).
ΚΠ
17.. in F. Grose Olio (1792) 232 Dancing on nothing at the Sheriff's ball. Foot-note, Sheriff's ball, an execution.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Sheriff's Bracelets, handcuffs.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Sheriff's Hotel, a prison.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Sheriff's Picture Frame, the gallows.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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