martinet

noun /ˈmɑɹtɪnɛt/

1. A strict disciplinarian.

   Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

2. Anyone who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods or rules.

   figuratively

   Before I met Mr. Bowen Cooke I had been given to understand that he was of a reserved nature, and on occasion could be a "bit of a martinet"; [...].

3. A short whip with multiple lashes once used in France.

   historical

Where it comes from

After the example of 17th-century French army officer Jean Martinet.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry martinet (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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