under-secretaryship

under-secretaryship

The under-secretaryship is a senior administrative position in a government department.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The position or office of an under-secretary: "Under-secretaryship" refers to the role, rank, or tenure of a person who serves as an under-secretary, typically a junior or deputy minister in a government department.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • He was appointed to the under-secretaryship of the Department of Education. (He received the position of under-secretary.)
    • Her under-secretaryship lasted for three years before she was promoted. (Her time serving as an under-secretary lasted three years.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to hold an under-secretaryship": to occupy the position of an under-secretary.

    • She held an under-secretaryship in the Ministry of Finance during the economic crisis. (She served as an under-secretary in that ministry.)

  • "under-secretaryship of state": a specific rank in some governments, especially in the United Kingdom, where an under-secretary assists a senior minister.

    • The under-secretaryship of state for foreign affairs is a demanding role. (The position of under-secretary in foreign affairs is challenging.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Under-secretary (noun): a person who holds the position of a deputy secretary, especially in government.

    • The under-secretary reported directly to the minister. (The deputy secretary gave reports to the minister.)

  • Secretaryship (noun): the position or office of a secretary, often used as a broader term for administrative roles.

    • His secretaryship at the company involved managing correspondence. (His role as secretary involved handling letters.)
Synonyms
  • Deputy position: a role subordinate to a higher official.
  • Sub-ministerial office: a rank just below that of a minister.
  • Assistant secretary role: a position where one aids a senior secretary or minister.
Related Idioms
  • There are no common idioms specifically for "under-secretaryship," as it is a formal, technical term. However, in bureaucratic contexts, one might say:
    • "A stepping stone to higher office": a role that often leads to promotion.
    • The under-secretaryship was seen as a stepping stone to becoming a full minister. (The position was a step toward a higher rank.)