camp follower

American  

noun

1. a civilian not officially connected with a military unit, especially a prostitute, who follows or settles near an army camp.

2. a person who sympathizes with or espouses the aims of a group without belonging to it.

---

camp follower British  

noun

1. any civilian, esp a prostitute, who unofficially provides services to military personnel

2. a nonmember who is sympathetic to a particular group, theory, etc

---

camp follower Idioms  

1. A civilian who follows or settles near a military camp, especially a prostitute who does so. For example, The recruits were told not to associate with camp followers . [Early 1800s]

2. A person who sympathizes with a cause or group but does not join it. For example, She's only a camp follower so we can't count on her for a contribution .

---

Etymology

Origin of camp follower

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

camp follower

True to historical accuracy, Mrs. Daigle became a camp follower, cooking, washing clothes and keeping the tent clean.

From Time Magazine Archive

Afterward, a Massachusetts colonial and his camp follower were married, vraiment, in an 18th century ceremony, and dancers, jousters and drummers roamed the fields.

From Time Magazine Archive

"He is his own worst enemy," admitted Bevan's camp follower, Dick Grossman, unwilling this time to go along with the boss.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ordinarily for a talent agent to sue a producer would be comparable to a camp follower giving a general the hotfoot.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few sellswords turned to watch them pass, and a camp follower sniggered, but no one moved to interfere.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin