placeman

[pleys-muhn]

noun

British.

plural

placemen 

1. a person appointed to a position, especially one in the government, as a reward for political support of an elected official.

placeman

/ ˈpleɪsmən /

noun

1. derogatory,  a person who holds a public office, esp for private profit and as a reward for political support

Other Word Forms

• placemanship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of placeman¹

First recorded in 1735–45; place + -man

Example Sentences

Gov Sitnikov is Vladimir Putin's placeman in his home region, so he's hardly a rebel or fearless teller of uncomfortable truths.

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Until now, they have been happy to leave the pain to Brussels placemen.

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In late March the placeman she had installed in the presidency announced on Facebook that he was resigning to “take a rest”.

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Odds are growing that he will try to keep his job after 2022, or appoint a placeman and rule China from behind the scenes.

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The militia had used threats to get their placemen to the top of the council.

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