Jump to content

functionary

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From French fonctionnaire; by surface analysis, function +‎ -ary.

Pronunciation

[edit]
This entry needs pronunciation information. If you are familiar with the IPA or enPR then please add some!
This entry needs an audio pronunciation. If you are a native speaker with a microphone, please record this word. The recorded pronunciation will appear here when it's ready.

Noun

[edit]

functionary (plural functionaries)

  1. A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who holds limited authority and primarily serves to carry out a simple function for which discretion is minimal or not required.
    Near-synonyms: bureaucrat; official; officer; administrator; apparatchik
  2. Such a person who is petty, pedantic, short-sighted, uncaring, or counterproductive; sometimes also with implication of being amoral or corrupt.
    Near-synonyms: bureaucrat, apparatchik; paper-pusher; bean counter

Translations

[edit]