Brewer's: Constable

(Latin, comes-stabuli) means “Master of the Horse.” The constable of England and France was at one time a military officer of state, next in rank to the crown.

Quoth Hudibras, Friend Ralph, thou hast Outrun the constable at last; For thou hast fallen on a new Dispute, as senseless as untrue.

Butler: Hudibras, i. 3.

The constable arrests debtors, and, of course, represents the creditor; wherefore, to overrun the constable is to overrun your credit account. To pay the constable is to give him the money due, to prevent an arrest.

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