functionary
noun
- person with leadership position within an organization
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃn̩.(ə)ri/ / /ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃəˌnɛ.ri/
noun
Etymology: From French fonctionnaire; by surface analysis, function + -ary.
- 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.”
- 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”