Gendarme

/ʒɑnˈdɑrm/ noun

Definition

A police officer or soldier in France or some other French-speaking countries.

Etymology

From French 'gendarme': 'gens d'armes' (people of arms/weapons). The word originally referred to armed men in medieval times, then specifically to French military police.

Kelly Says

French gendarmes have a completely different role than regular police—they're military trained, handle serious crimes, and wear those distinctive uniforms with the high boots! The system is so old that it literally shaped how European police forces are organized.

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