Gestapos

/ɡəˈstɑːpoʊz/ noun

Definition

Plural of Gestapo, the Nazi secret police force that operated in Germany and occupied territories during World War II; sometimes used metaphorically for oppressive secret police.

Etymology

German acronym for 'Geheime Staatspolizei' (Secret State Police); the plural follows English conventions by adding '-s' to foreign words.

Kelly Says

The Gestapo became the historical symbol of totalitarian surveillance and terror—so infamous that their name is used metaphorically for any oppressive secret police force worldwide.

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