camp follower

• Personne qui suit un camp militaire ou une armée, généralement pour fournir des services tels que la vente de marchandises ou des distractions, sans être militaire. Dans l'usage moderne, peut aussi désigner une personne qui soutient un groupe, un mouvement ou une tendance sans en être membre officiel.

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.

   suiveur de camp

   • 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.

   suiveur opportuniste

   • 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.