Black Maria

/'blækmə'raiə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A police van used for transporting prisoners: A secure vehicle, typically windowless or with barred windows, operated by law enforcement to move arrested individuals or detainees from one location (e.g., a crime scene) to another (e.g., a police station or jail).
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The suspect was placed in the black maria and taken to the central station for questioning.
    • Protesters watched as the black maria arrived to transport those who had been arrested.
Advanced Usage
  • The term "black maria" is often used informally or journalistically. In more formal or modern contexts, terms like "prisoner transport vehicle," "paddy wagon," or simply "police van" are frequently used.
  • Historically, the name's origin is uncertain but is often attributed to a famous racehorse named "Black Maria" or to the dark, somber appearance of the vehicles.
Variants and Related Words
  • Paddy wagon (n): An informal synonym for a police vehicle used to transport prisoners.
  • Police van (n): A more general and modern term for a van used by police, which can include vehicles for transporting personnel or equipment, not exclusively prisoners.
Synonyms
  • Prisoner transport vehicle: A formal term for a secure vehicle used to move detainees.
  • Police wagon: Another informal term for a vehicle used to transport arrested individuals.
Related Idioms
  • : An idiomatic expression meaning to be arrested and transported by the police.
    • After the brawl, several fans were taken away in a black maria.
Noun
  1. a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
  2. van used by police to transport prisoners

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