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

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

His martinet father upbraids every family member present.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2018

Several celebrated actresses, including Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Colleen Dewhurst and Angela Lansbury, turned down the part of Nurse Ratched, a martinet who tried to keep the men in her ward sedated and under control.

From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2018

I don’t think this is too strictly enforced except when the place is run by an obsessive martinet like Amadeus von Linden.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein