comprador

or com·pra·dore

[ kom-pruh-dawr ]

noun

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

comprador

/ ˌkɒmprəˈdɔː /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprador¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprador¹

C17: from Portuguese: buyer, from Late Latin comparātor, from Latin comparāre to purchase, from parāre to prepare

Example Sentences

She was not long out from England, and a comprador order was as yet an unnatural phenomenon to her.

From Project Gutenberg

The comprador provides stores, and all the necessary provisions for the ship, while she remains in port.

From Project Gutenberg

In the afternoon, Captain Gillespie came off to the ship again, with a gang of coolies under a native comprador.

From Project Gutenberg

The comprador sent word aboard at four bells, he couldnt hold his sampan men much longer.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg