comptroller

English

Etymology

From late Middle English compteroller, a spelling variant of countreroller (from which controller) due to folk etymology: the word was thought to have an etymological connection with Middle French compte (“account”) (Middle French compteroleur is attested circa 1375). Originally the two spellings were equivalent and pronounced identically; the modern pronunciation with [mp] is based on the spelling.

Pronunciation

• either as controller or as IPA^(key): [kəmpˈtɹoʊləɹ], [kəmˈtɹoʊləɹ]
• Homophone: controller
• Rhymes: -əʊlə(ɹ)

Noun

comptroller (plural comptrollers)

1. The chief accountant of a company or government.
   • 1988, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 237:

     The terms of the licence shall, in default of agreement, be settled by the comptroller.

Synonyms

• administrator
• chief
• controller
• foreman
• head
• head man
• organiser
• organizer
• overseer
• superintendent
• supervisor

 

Related terms

• controller

Translations

the chief accountant of a company or government — see controller