martinet

American  

[mahr-tn-et, mahr-tn-et] / ˌmɑr tnˈɛt, ˈmɑr tnˌɛt /

noun

1. a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.

2. someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules.

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martinet British  

/ ˌmɑːtɪˈnɛt /

noun

1. a person who maintains strict discipline, esp in a military force

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Other Word Forms

• martinetish adjective
• martinetism noun

Etymology

Origin of martinet

1670–80; after General Jean Martinet (died 1672), French inventor of a system of drill

Example Sentences

It’s the domain of Uzo Aduba’s Clyde, a glorious creation, an eatery owner of such foul temper she makes culinary martinet Gordon Ramsay seem like a veritable Mr. Rogers.

From Washington Post • Nov. 23, 2021

In comparison, Schultz comes off as less of a martinet and more of a prig in the trial transcripts.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2020

Roberts, a flinty, fastidious martinet with a hardscrabble background and a knack for making himself indispensable to powerful men, befriended Jones and took up the cause.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 14, 2019

Murdoc, the bassist, mastermind and martinet, was a hybrid of Keith Richards and Lurch, the manservant from “The Addams Family” cartoons.

From Economist • Jul. 5, 2018

As a general, Lot seems to have been a martinet and something of a coward.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White