comprador

American  

[kom-pruh-dawr] / ˌkɒm prəˈdɔr /

Or compradore

noun

1. (formerly in China) a local agent or factotum, as of a foreign business house.

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comprador British  

/ ˌkɒmprəˈdɔː /

noun

1. (formerly in China and some other Asian countries) a native agent of a foreign enterprise

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Etymology

Origin of comprador

First recorded in 1605–15; from Portuguese: literally, “buyer” from Latin comparātor, equivalent to comparā(re) “to furnish, provide, prepare” ( see com-, prepare) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

He then departed to the vestibule of the hotel, where he encountered the comprador.

From Held by Chinese Brigands by Strang, Herbert

Their comprador, or Chinese purchaser, who acted also as interpreter, having landed to make arrangements, the boats proceeded higher up the river on an exploring expedition.

From The Three Midshipmen by Prout, Victor

Sunday, March 18th.—At six o'clock this morning Mabelle and I went ashore with the steward and the comprador to the market.

From A Voyage in the 'Sunbeam' Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months by Brassey, Annie

The comprador has no fixed salary, but receives a stated per-centage upon all business transactions: his per-centage upon the household expenses is not fixed, but is not on that account less certain. 

From A Woman's Journey Round the World by Pfeiffer, Ida

At the head of the whole household is the comprador, who is a kind of major-domo. 

From A Woman's Journey Round the World by Pfeiffer, Ida