highbinder
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A corrupt politician; a political operator who uses unscrupulous or violent methods: The term specifically denotes a politician or political figure engaged in corrupt, deceitful, or criminal activities, often involving bribery, graft, or intimidation.
Usage
The word "highbinder" is a specific and somewhat dated term. It is used as a direct label for a corrupt political figure. * It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a highbinder, the highbinders). * Its usage often carries a strong tone of condemnation and accusation.
Examples
- The investigation revealed that the councilman was not a public servant but a highbinder in league with organized crime.
- The city's history is filled with stories of highbinders who used their power for personal gain.
- He was accused of being a highbinder who accepted bribes to influence legislation.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be extended metaphorically beyond formal politics to describe any person in a position of power or influence who acts in a ruthlessly corrupt or deceitful manner.
- The CEO was considered a corporate highbinder, manipulating stock prices for his own benefit.
Variants and Related Words
- Highbinding (noun, rare): The corrupt practices characteristic of a highbinder.
- The era was notorious for political highbinding.
Synonyms
- Grafters: Politicians who use their position for illicit gain.
- Spoilsmen: Those who seek profit or advantage from political activity.
- Political operator: (A more neutral term that can imply cunning or unethical tactics).
Different Meanings
- Historical/Obsolete Meaning: In 19th-century American slang, particularly in New York, "highbinder" could also refer to a member of a Chinese-American criminal gang or secret society. This usage is now considered archaic and potentially offensive. The primary contemporary meaning is the one defined above.