martinet

[ mahr-tn-et, mahr-tn-et ]

noun

1. a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.
2. someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules.

martinet

/ ˌmɑːtɪˈnɛt /

noun

1. a person who maintains strict discipline, esp in a military force

Derived Forms

• ˌmartiˈnetism, noun
• ˌmartiˈnetish, adjective

Other Words From

• marti·netish adjective
• marti·netism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of martinet¹

1670–80; after General Jean Martinet (died 1672), French inventor of a system of drill

Word History and Origins

Origin of martinet¹

C17: from French, from the name of General Martinet, drillmaster under Louis XIV

Example Sentences

Van Zweden, in turn, was a martinet specialist in the standards who seemed appealing as an about-face from Gilbert, less electric in the core repertory.

From New York Times

That the legendary anti-interventionist Taft supported a vain martinet whose tirades included lobbying for nuclear war suggests he might have been less than a rock-solid man of principle.

From Salon

But Laws isn’t just a martinet, or the avatar of a brutal institution.

From New York Times

As are the old-fashioned words — like “martinet,” “popinjay” and “annealed” — that Galloway sprinkles through the text, the way Leigh strewed the beloved posies from her various country estates.

From New York Times

Purge school boards of the sort of bluenose martinet who thinks you should teach the Holocaust — the Holocaust! — without painful words and images.

From Seattle Times