| 释义 |
supremo, n.|suːˈpriːməʊ, suːˈpreɪməʊ|
[f. Sp. (generalissimo) supremo supreme general.]
a. A supreme leader or ruler; one holding the highest military or political authority.
The reference in quot. 1944 is to Earl Mountbatten of Burma, whose nickname this was during his period as Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia (cf. quot. 1966).
1937C. S. Forester Happy Return iv. 43 No expostulation on his part would override the orders given by el Supremo. Ibid. 46 ‘Supremo,’ sighed Hernandez... ‘The captain came instantly on hearing your summons.’ 1944Daily Express 6 July 2/7 Why the Supremo?.. A handsome, romantic figure. Hence the Latin-sounding nickname. 1958Ibid. 11 July 1/1 Now their advice and complaints can reach the Cabinet or the Prime Minister only through their ‘supremo’—the chairman of the staff chiefs. 1966E. H. Cookridge From Battenberg to Mountbatten ix. 188 In June 1946 Lord Mountbatten's post as Supremo in South-East Asia came to an end and he returned to England. 1979A. Fox Threat Warning Red ii. 21 Pat Cleary, a two-star British admiral, was the representative in Brussels of the American NATO supremo in Norfolk, Virginia.
b. transf. One who has overall charge of some department of government or sphere of activity.
1963Daily Express 21 Oct. 1/4 Some, particularly in the Research Department, may follow the supremos into resignation. 1972Observer 10 Dec. 2/7 The appointment of a Land Release Supremo with regional teams to unclog the machinery which is holding up the release of land. 1976H. Wilson Governance of Britain iv. 97 The successful attack by other ministers to prevent him [sc. Herbert Morrison] from becoming an economic supremo. 1983Private Eye 17 June 7/1 A short list of possible replacements..included..the ruthless supremo of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. |