noun
flatfoot
noun
1
A condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground.
"The doctor said his flatfoot could be helped with the right insoles."
2
(informal, dated) A police officer, especially one who patrols on foot.
"A flatfoot on the corner waved the traffic through."
How to Use Flatfoot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the medical condition of having flat arches, or old slang for a beat cop.
When to use it
The "police officer" sense is informal and old-fashioned, mostly seen in vintage crime fiction.
Word Forms
flatfooted past tense, flatfoots plural, flatfeet plural, flatfoots singular
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Etymology
From "flat" + "foot," describing a foot without the usual arch.