Main Entry: sher·iff

Pronunciation: \ˈsher-əf\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English shirreve, from Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve — more at shire, reeve

Date: before 12th century

: an important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties (as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)

— sher·iff·dom \-əf-dəm, -təm\ noun