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. 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, page 192:

     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, page 231:

     ...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, page 9:

     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."