camp follower

• Человек, который следует за военным лагерем или армией, обычно для предоставления услуг, таких как продажа товаров или развлечения, но не являющийся военнослужащим. В современном употреблении также может относиться к человеку, который поддерживает определённую группу, движение или тенденцию, не будучи официальным членом.

A person who follows a military camp or army, typically to provide services such as selling goods or offering entertainment, but not a member of the military. In modern usage, it can also refer to someone who supports a particular group, movement, or trend without being an official member.

1. Historical military contextC1formal

   A civilian who follows an army, often providing services such as selling goods or offering labor, but not a soldier.

   Маркитант

   • Camp followers included merchants, cooks, and laundresses.
   • During the war, many camp followers traveled with the troops.
   • The army relied on camp followers for supplies and support.

2. Figurative meaningC2informal

   A person who joins a group, movement, or trend without being a committed member, often for personal gain or convenience.

   Попутчик

   • He is just a camp follower of the political party, not a true believer.
   • Many camp followers jumped on the bandwagon after the movement became popular.
   • She was seen as a camp follower, only interested in the benefits of the group.