functionary

noun
/ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃn̩.(ə)ri/UK/ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃəˌnɛ.ri/US

Etymology

From French fonctionnaire; by surface analysis, function + -ary.

Definitions

  1. A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who…

    A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who holds limited authority and primarily serves to carry out a simple function for which discretion is minimal or not required.

    • Near-synonyms: bureaucrat; official; officer; administrator; apparatchik
    • Consciences are for politicians, Bernard! We are humble functionaries whose duty it is to implement the commands of our democratically elected representatives.
  2. Such a person who is petty, pedantic, short-sighted, uncaring, or counterproductive

    Such a person who is petty, pedantic, short-sighted, uncaring, or counterproductive; sometimes also with implication of being amoral or corrupt.

    • Near-synonyms: bureaucrat, apparatchik; paper-pusher; bean counter

The neighborhood

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA