functionary

== English == === Etymology === From French fonctionnaire; by surface analysis, function +‎ -ary. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃn̩.(ə)ri/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃəˌnɛ.ri/ Hyphenation: func‧tion‧ary, func‧tio‧na‧ry === Noun === functionary (plural functionaries) 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 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 ==== Translations ====