I. |mär]t ə n|et, |mȧ], ]d.ə̇n|-, ]tə̇n|-, usu -ed.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mertinet, from Middle French martinet, diminutive of martin — more at martin
1. archaic : martin I
2. : martineta
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, probably diminutive of the name Martin
1. : a military engine formerly used for throwing large stones
2. : a line attached to the leech of a square sail to haul it close to the yard for furling
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: after Jean Martinet, 17th century French army officer who devised a new system of military drill
1. : a system of military drill devised for the French army in the time of Louis XIV
2.
a. : a strict military disciplinarian
b. : one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of forms and methods