martinet

views updated May 18 2018

mar·ti·net / ˌmärtnˈet/ • n. a strict disciplinarian, esp. in the armed forces.DERIVATIVES: mar·ti·net·ish (also mar·ti·net·tish) adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

martinet

views updated May 23 2018

martinet a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces. Recorded from the late 17th century, the word originally denoted a system of drill invented by Jean Martinet (d. 1672), a French soldier whose attention to drill and training as Inspector-General of the infantry helped to shape the regular army of Louis XIV.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

martinet

views updated May 23 2018

martinet † system of drill devised by General Martinet XVII; officer who is a stickler for discipline; also gen. XVIII. f. name of a F. general, drill-master of the reign of Louis XIV.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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