figurehead

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figurehead

A carved wooden figurehead adorns the bow of the historic sailing ship.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A carved figure on the bow of a ship: A decorative statue, often representing a person or mythical being, placed at the front (prow) of a sailing vessel.
    • A nominal leader without real power: A person who holds a title or high position but has no real authority, serving as a symbolic front for an organization or activity.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Carved Figure):

    • The old ship's figurehead was a beautifully carved mermaid.
    • Restorers are working to preserve the wooden figurehead from the 18th-century vessel.

  • Noun (Nominal Leader):

    • The company's founder remained as chairman, but he was merely a figurehead with no influence on daily operations.
    • The king became a powerless figurehead after the revolution.
Advanced Usage

  • "To serve as a figurehead": To act as a symbolic leader without substantive power.

    • She was appointed to serve as a figurehead for the charity, while the board made all the decisions.

  • "A mere figurehead": Emphasizes the lack of actual authority.

    • The president was a mere figurehead; the general held the real power.
Variants and Related Words
  • Figureheading (n, rare): The state or role of being a figurehead.
  • Puppet (n): A person whose actions are controlled by others (stronger implication of manipulation than ).
  • Nominal head (n phrase): A direct synonym for the leadership sense.
Synonyms
  • Front man: A person who represents an organization publicly.
  • Token leader: A leader in name only.
  • Ceremonial head: A leader whose role is largely symbolic and procedural.
  • Stooge (informal, derogatory): A person used by another for their own purposes.
Related Phrases
  • In name only: Used to indicate that a title or description is not matched by reality or authority.
    • He was the manager in name only; the assistant made all the calls.
Related Idioms
  • A rubber stamp: A person or group that approves decisions automatically without real consideration.
    • The committee was just a rubber stamp for the CEO's plans.
  • A puppet on a string: Someone completely controlled by another.
    • The prime minister was accused of being a puppet on a string for foreign interests.
figurehead

A carved wooden figurehead adorns the bow of the historic sailing ship.

Noun
  1. figure on the bow of some sailing vessels
  2. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity

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