figurehead








noun

  1. a person who is head of a group, company, etc., in title but actually has no real authority or responsibility: Most modern kings and queens are figureheads.
  2. Nautical. a carved full-length figure or bust built into the bow of a sailing ship.

noun

  1. a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority
  2. a carved bust or full-length figure at the upper end of the stems of some sailing vessels
n.

1765, from figure (n.) + head (n.). Originally the ornament on the bow of a ship; sense of “leader without real authority” is first attested 1883.

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