martinet

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 2 French 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛt

[edit] Etymology 1

After the example of 17th century French army officer Jean Martinet.

[edit] Noun

martinet (plural martinets)

1. (military) A strict disciplinarian
2. in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods.

[edit] Etymology 2

Diminutive of martin

[edit] Noun

martinet (plural martinets)

1. The martin bird.

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[edit] French

[edit] Etymology

from marteau 'hammer', itself from Latin martulus 'hammer'

[edit] Noun

martinet

1. multi-tail whip, comprising leather or whipcord thongs fixed on a handle, to dust off or to administer a beating (usually to a child's bottom)
2. mechanical hammer on a motor-driven cogwheel, as used to beat metal
3. swallow-like bird species, black with a white throat