Martinet
A person who imposes strict discipline and demands obedience to orders; a very strict disciplinarian
nounMartinet
A person who imposes strict discipline and demands obedience to orders; a very strict disciplinarian
nounImagine This
Martin is teaching his son how to use a fishing net. He tells him to hold the net at exactly a 75-degree angle while his legs must remain very straight. As you can see, he is a very strict person in how the net must be held in order to catch the salmon swimming upstream.
Sounds Like
MAR-ti-net
Looks Like
Martin net
Remember This
The word originates from French and historically described a drillmaster or strict disciplinarian; it is often associated with military contexts.
Other Forms
Connect With
disciplinarian, drillmaster, taskmaster, authoritarian
Note
A martinet denotes a high level of strictness and exact obedience to rules. It is somewhat pejorative and should be used when the speaker intends a stern, exacting supervisor. Do not confuse with words that describe general sternness (e.g., strict) or with unrelated terms like 'martini' or 'martial'.
Study Deeper
- The coach was a martinet who demanded perfect form from every player.
- As a manager, he acted like a martinet, insisting on punctuality and exact procedures.
From French martinet, a diminutive of Martin; historically used to describe a drillmaster or strict disciplinarian.
Think of Martin with a net: Martin net — a strict, orderly figure who enforces exact rules.
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