figurehead

• Substantiv, das entweder eine Person bezeichnet, die ein nominelles Amt oder eine Führungsposition innehat, aber keine wirkliche Macht besitzt und oft als Deckmantel für andere dient, oder eine geschnitzte Zierfigur, die am Bug eines Segelschiffs angebracht wird.

A noun referring either to a person who holds a position of nominal authority or leadership but lacks real power, often used as a front for others, or to a carved ornamental figure placed on the bow of a sailing vessel.

1. Nominal leader or frontC1formalpolitical

   A person placed in a position of apparent authority or leadership, but with no real power, often used to conceal the true source of control or questionable activities.

   Nomineller Anführer oder Strohmann

   • The CEO was merely a figurehead; the board made all the real decisions.
   • They installed a figurehead to divert attention from their illegal dealings.
   • The organization's president turned out to be a figurehead for a shadowy group.
   • He resented being used as a figurehead for the corrupt regime.

   Synonymefrontfront manmouthpiecenominal headpuppetstoogetoken

2. Ship's ornamental carvingB2formaltechnical

   A carved wooden or metal figure, often representing a person or mythical creature, mounted on the bow of a sailing vessel as decoration or for symbolic protection.

   Galionsfigur

   • The clipper ship had a beautiful figurehead of a mermaid with flowing hair.
   • Sailors believed the figurehead would protect them from storms and bad luck.
   • Many antique figureheads are now displayed in maritime museums.
   • The shipwright carefully carved a new figurehead to replace the weathered one.