‖ Geheimrat
(gəˈhaɪmraːt)
Also Geheimer Rat.
[G.]
In Germany, a privy councillor (see also quot. 1911).
| 1837 H. C. Robinson Diary 27 July (1967) 180, I called on Geheimrat Schlosser and had an interesting chat with him. 1911 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 373/2 The title..of Geheimer Rat simply is very generally, e.g. in Prussia, given to high officials, usually with the addition of the branch of the service to which they belong, e.g. Geheimer Finanzrat. 1936 A. Huxley Eyeless in Gaza liii. 601 The sofas where the Geheimrats slept off the effects of noonday eating. 1943 H. L. Mencken Heathen Days vii. 91 Thus a plain Mister became Doctor, a Doctor became Professor, and a Professor became Geheimrat. 1971 Auden Academic Graffiti 19 The Geheimrat in Goethe Made him all the curter With Leute who were leery Of his Colour Theory. |