functionary
/ˈfʌŋkʃənəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfʌŋkʃəneri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfəŋ(k)-shə-ˌner-ē/ (ame, mw)
functionary — noun
- functionarysingular
- functionariesplural
1. a person who holds a position of authority within an organization — such as a go
a person who holds a position of authority within an organization — such as a government department, a political party, or an international body — and is responsible for carrying out its rules, procedures, and administrative work
The party functionary checked each member's voting card at the entrance to the conference hall.
collocation: party functionary / government functionary
A low-ranking government functionary stamped Dr. Okonkwo's passport application without looking up.
typical pre-modifier: low-ranking / senior / junior functionary
Several UN functionaries visited the refugee camp to inspect how food supplies were being distributed.
The elderly functionary at the town hall remembered every building permit filed since 1985.
When the minister arrived, junior functionaries hurried to arrange chairs and prepare briefing papers.
- official
the most general term; can describe any person in a position of authority, elected or appointed
- bureaucrat
often carries a negative connotation of rigid rule-following or excessive paperwork
- administrator
focuses on the management and organisational side of the job rather than political authority
- officer
usually implies a specific title or rank within an organisation, often with more prestige
- layperson
someone without official authority or professional standing in a given field
- private citizen
an individual acting in a personal capacity rather than as a representative of an institution
用法筆記
Frequently modified by an adjective indicating rank or level (e.g., low-ranking, junior, senior, chief functionary). In modern usage, the word often carries a slightly impersonal or bureaucratic tone.