shamus
Definition
Noun: 1. A private detective or investigator: A person, often a former police officer, who is hired to conduct investigations, gather information, or solve cases for private clients.
Usage
The word "shamus" is an informal, somewhat old-fashioned American slang term for a private detective. It often carries a connotation from hard-boiled detective fiction, suggesting a tough, street-smart investigator who may operate on the fringes of the law. It is less common in formal or contemporary contexts.
Examples
- Noun:
- The wealthy widow hired a shamus to look into her husband's mysterious business partners.
- In the old noir film, the shamus sat in a dim office, waiting for a new client.
- He worked as a shamus after leaving the police force.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to any detective, including a police detective, though its primary meaning is a private one.
- The police shamus was known for his unorthodox methods but high solve rate.
Variants and Related Words
- Private detective / Private investigator (PI): The standard, formal terms for the same profession.
- Gumshoe: Another slang term with a very similar meaning and stylistic connotation as "shamus".
Synonyms
- Private eye
- Sleuth
- Investigator
- Operative
Related Idioms
- On the shamus's trail: Actively being investigated by a private detective.
- He knew he was on the shamus's trail when he spotted the same car outside his apartment for three days.
Noun
-
someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
