figurehead

• Sustantivo que designa, por un lado, a una persona que ostenta un cargo o liderazgo meramente nominal, sin poder real, a menudo utilizada como fachada por otros; y por otro lado, a una figura decorativa tallada que se coloca en la proa de un barco de vela.

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.

   Testaferro o figura decorativa

   • 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.

   Sinónimosfrontfront 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.

   Figura de proa

   • 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.