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shérif

sheriff

noun sheh-REEF Less Common

Origin: From English 'sheriff'.

Usage Note

Shérif entered French from English, primarily through Hollywood Westerns, and refers to an American or Canadian elected county sheriff. In France the equivalent law-enforcement role is held by a commissaire or gendarme; shérif is never used for French officials. The plural is shérifs.

Examples

"Le shérif a arrêté le suspect."

Natural Translation

The sheriff arrested the suspect.

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