Definition of "plainclothesman" [plainclothesman]

• A member of a police force, especially a detective, who wears civilian clothes on duty. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Vito surmised he was a plainclothesman and scoffed at the obviousness and absurdity of it."
• "“Yes, what is it?” a plainclothesman said from a kneeling position, blowing his hair from his eyes and looking her up and down in irritation."
• "“Radio it in,” Lawson barked to a young plainclothesman."