placeman

American  

[pleys-muhn] / ˈpleɪs mən /

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.

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placeman British  

/ ˈpleɪsmən /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• placemanship noun

Etymology

Origin of placeman

First recorded in 1735–45; place + -man

Example Sentences

Mr Sharif has installed a loyal placeman, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, previously the minister for natural resources, as interim prime minister.

From Economist • Aug. 3, 2017

Meanwhile, far from being a Whelan placeman, Cryer was another of his targets.

From The Guardian • Mar. 21, 2010

It was a positive grievance, and indeed it was a partial destruction of the constitution, at the instance of a placeman.

From The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation Volume 1 by Roger, Charles

Now, it was some prosperous placeman, his equal, or his superior in rank.

From Sir Walter Ralegh A Biography by Stebbing, W. (William)

No "Heroic" surely, in that sleek young placeman.

From The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852 by Various