ringwraith

ringwraith

See also: Ringwraith

English

Etymology

From Ringwraith (fantasy character), in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings; from ring +‎ wraith.

Noun

ringwraith (plural ringwraiths)

1. Figuratively, a person who is loyal, as if bound or entranced, to a band, group or organization.
   • 1976, Proceedings and Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, p192

     It is twisted out of shape and used for base purposes by the ringwraiths, the bent ones among the intellectuals, for purposes that are transient...

   • 1982, William Ready, Files on Parade: A Memoir, 1982, p231,

     ...or shandy quaffers at tennis with Joan Hunter-Dunn, even though many of them are mere ringwraiths of the Thomson Empire.

   • 2005, Erik Davis, Led Zeppelin IV p9

     This book, then, is a sort of tribute: an ode to the Himalaya of heavy rock, a paganish take on rock and roll, ringwraiths, and the iconic fetish of the gatefold LP."