under-pullern.
/ˌʌndəˈpʊlə/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈpʊlər/ A secret agent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > [noun] > a secret observer, spy > secret agent
intelligencer1540
intelligentiary1577
under-puller1682
agent1804
foreign agent1822
operative1901
spook1942
under-cover1962
Abwehr agent1990
1682 Heraclitus Ridens 23 May 1/1 But 'tis great pity this Scribler be not made an Under-puller in the Work of defending the City-Charter against the King.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 388 Underpullers to these are the Shop~keepers, whose Mercurial Parts are fitted to put off the worst Wares.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. iv. §138 For the King is this..Ridiculer, and this Fellow, Fitzharris, his Underpuller.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1682