slang. A spy, a detective. Also: a group of (esp. undercover) detectives or police officers.

ordinary clothes rather than a uniform, esp. as worn by a police officer; frequently attributive; (also occasionally) = plainclothesman n.

One whose occupation it is to discover matters artfully concealed; particularly (and in the original application as short for detective policeman…

a policeman who wears ordinary clothes rather than a uniform to work; a detective.

colloquial. A detective. rare.

detective (slang).

Originally U.S. A detective. Also transferred.

= detective, n.

Slang abbreviation of detective, n. Cf. D. n. at initialisms 3a.

Chiefly Australian slang (usually depreciative). A policeman, esp. a detective.

transferred. A keen investigator or pursuer; a tracker; U.S. a detective.

slang. An informer; a detective; a policeman.

A pejorative term of wide application, esp.: (a) an unpleasant or contemptible person; (b) an informer; a detective; (c) a strike-breaker.

A detective; also attributive.

British slang. A detective; a police officer. Frequently in plural, with the.

A police officer; a detective. Frequently in private dick n. at private, adj.1 adv.n. compounds 2.

Originally U.S. colloquial. A detective, esp. a private detective.

U.S. slang. Also with lower-case initial. A detective; a private eye. Cf. dick, n.4 Now rare.

A police officer; a private detective.

A policeman; a detective.

A police officer or detective; (usually with the) the police.