Laquais (en. Lackey)

/laka/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A lackey or servant ready to obey orders.

He became the lackey of that wealthy businessman.

Il est devenu le laquais de ce riche homme d'affaires.

The term also refers to a character who lacks independence and flatters their master.

The lackey was always present to applaud his boss's decisions.

Le laquais était toujours présent pour applaudir les décisions de son patron.

Figuratively, it refers to a person who plays a complicit role under the authority of another.

This politician acts like the lackey of his donors.

Ce politicien agit comme le laquais de ses donateurs.

Derived from Old French 'laquais', from Latin 'lacqueyus', meaning squire.

let one’s lackey do

To allow someone to act on one's behalf or in one's place.

laisser son laquais faire

to be someone’s lackey

To work under the authority of someone, often in a subordinate position.

être le laquais de quelqu'un

valet

A man serving a person, often as a domestic servant.

valet

slave

A person who is the property of another and is compelled to work.

esclave

An individual who constantly bends to the whims of their superior.

That guy is really a lackey, he never says no.

Ce type est vraiment un laquais, il ne dit jamais non.

An unconditional follower often mocked.

Look at him, he is the lackey of that group, always following behind them.

Regarde-le, il est le laquais de ce groupe, toujours derrière eux.