figurehead

• Nom désignant soit une personne occupant un poste d'autorité ou de leadership purement nominal, sans pouvoir réel, souvent utilisée comme couverture pour d'autres, soit une figure décorative sculptée placée à la proue d'un navire à voile.

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.

   Prête-nom

   • 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.

   Synonymesfrontfront 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.

   Figure de proue

   • 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.