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martinet

noun

/ˌmɑːtɪˈnɛt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of martinet

A person who is strict and demanding in their behavior or attitude.
"The martinet drill sergeant was feared by all the new recruits."

Detailed meaning of martinet

The term is often used to describe someone who enforces discipline and order in a rigid and harsh way, such as a military officer or a school principal. A martinet may also be someone who insists on strict adherence to rules and regulations, without showing any flexibility or leniency.
The term implies a strict, inflexible, and uncompromising attitude, often associated with a lack of concern for the well-being or feelings of others. They may be seen as too demanding, too rigid, and too unyielding in their approach.
The term is derived from the name of Jean Martinet, a French military officer in the 17th century, who was known for his strict and harsh approach to discipline and training of soldiers.
It is not always negative, as strict discipline and order can be necessary in some fields or situations, but when taken to an extreme, it can be harmful and detrimental.

Example sentences containing martinet

1. In the military academy, Colonel Roberts was known as a martinet, enforcing discipline and rigor with stern precision.
2. When it comes to cleanliness, my grandmother is a martinet, demanding every corner of the house be spotless.
3. The librarian, a martinet for silence, quickly shushed the giggling children.
4. As a martinet for punctuality, John always arrived at least fifteen minutes early for all his appointments.
5. His reputation as a martinet in the culinary world often intimidated the novice chefs in his kitchen.
6. In our mathematics class, we regarded Ms.

History and etymology of martinet

The noun 'martinet' has an etymology that relates to the name of a historical figure known for his strict discipline and military rigor. It is derived from the name of Jean Martinet, a 17th-century French army officer who was renowned for his uncompromising and harsh disciplinary methods. His name became synonymous with a rigid and demanding approach to discipline and training within the military. Over time, the term 'martinet' made its way into the English language to describe any person, not just in a military context, who is strict and demanding in their behavior or attitude, often to the point of being excessively harsh or authoritarian. The etymology of 'martinet' highlights its association with the strict and unforgiving demeanor exemplified by Jean Martinet in his military leadership.

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Further usage examples of martinet

1. Sanders as a martinet because she demanded all our calculations be accurate to the smallest decimal point.
2. The martinet-like coach pushed the team to their limits, demanding excellence in every practice.
3. Some people saw the mayor as a martinet due to his uncompromising stance on law and order.
4. Sarah, a martinet for grammar, corrected her friends' speech without a second thought.
5. Many saw him as a martinet, but he preferred to think of himself as a disciple of order and efficiency.
6. The ballet master, a martinet for perfect form, was relentless in his training sessions.
7. Being a martinet, the conductor insisted on rigorous rehearsals to ensure an impeccable performance.
8. The company CEO, known as a martinet for productivity, scrutinized every department's weekly reports.
9. Despite his martinet approach, the class appreciated Mr. Stevenson's drive for educational excellence.
10. In the world of coding, she was a martinet for clarity and efficiency, refusing to tolerate messy scripts.
11. The security guard, a martinet when it came to enforcing rules, kept everyone on their toes.
12. As a martinet for environmental responsibility, Jessica ensured everyone in her household recycled appropriately.
13. He was a martinet on the tennis court, following every rule to the letter and never allowing an unfair advantage.
14. Her father, a martinet for manners, drilled politeness and decorum into her from a young age.
15. The renowned director, a martinet for authenticity, demanded meticulous research for every scene.
16. The teacher was known for being a strict martinet in the classroom.
17. The sergeant major had a reputation for being a tough martinet during military training.
18. The company's CEO was often referred to as a martinet due to his demanding leadership style.
19. The martinet ensured that every employee followed the strict rules and regulations.
20. The coach acted like a martinet, pushing the team to their limits.
21. The strict martinet in the kitchen demanded perfection from the chefs.
22. The martinet supervisor inspected the workers' every move to ensure compliance.
23. The martinet principal enforced discipline and order within the school.
24. The drill sergeant was a notorious martinet who ran a tight ship.
25. The martinet conductor demanded precision and adherence to the musical score.