figurehead

English

/ˈfɪɡjəɹˌhɛd/

noun
Definitions
  • (nautical) A carved figure on the prow of a sailing ship.
  • (by extension) Someone in a nominal position of leadership who has no actual power; a front or front man.

Etymology

Compound from English figure + English head (-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast).

Origin

English

head

Gloss

-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms