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