A person who holds an office, like a president or treasurer or second assistant vice president. Often characterized by bureaucratic inefficiency, though there are notable exceptions.

Also, a referee or umpire at a sports competition. Always characterized by inefficiency, blindness, blatant bias for the other team, or all three. Unless, of course, your team wins.

Of*fi"cial (?), a. [L. officialis: cf. F. officiel. See Office, and cf. Official, n.]

1.

Of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine.

That, in the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate. Shak.

2.

Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report.

3. Pharm.

Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopeia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.

4.

Discharging an office or function.

[Obs.]

The stomach and other parts official unto nutrition. Sir T. Browne.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Of*fi"cial, n. [L. officialis a magistrate's servant or attendant: cf.F. official. See Official, a., and cf. Officer.]

1.

One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant.

2.

An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.

Blackstone.

 

© Webster 1913.