n.
Pronunciation: ' äm- ˌ bu ̇ dz-m ə n, ' o ̇ m-, -b ə dz-, - ˌ man; äm- ' bu ̇ dz-, o ̇ m-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -men \ -m ə n \
Etymology: Swedish, literally, representative, from Old Norse umbothsmathr, from umboth commission + mathr man
Date: 1959
1 : a government official (as in Sweden or New Zealand) appointed to receive and investigate complaints made by individuals against abuses or capricious acts of public officials
2 : one that investigates reported complaints (as from students or consumers), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements
– om · buds · man · ship \ - ˌ ship \ noun