secretary-general
UK[ˌsek.rə.tər.iˈdʒen.ər.əl]US[ˌsek.rə.ter.iˈdʒen.ər.əl]
n
the person who is the leader of a large international organization, especially a political one.
n
the chief administrative officer of some governments or government departments.
Morpheme Breakdown
secretary
general
secretary
chief administrator
general
overall
Etymology
the compound 'secretary-general' is a modern bureaucratic title formed by combining two established offices. 'secretary', with its roots in the latin 'secretum' (something set apart, private), originally referred to a confidential clerk or keeper of secrets. 'general', from the latin 'genus' (kind, class), implies broad, overall authority. when combined, the term creates a hierarchical distinction, elevating a 'secretary' from a specific administrative role to the highest, most comprehensive ('general') administrative office within an organization, signifying the chief official who oversees the entire secretariat.
Analysis
Structure: secretary (chief administrator) + general (overall)
secretary: from latin 'secretarius' (confidential officer), via medieval latin and old french; denotes a person in charge of records or correspondence. general: from latin 'generalis' (pertaining to a whole class), via old french; denotes something comprehensive or overarching.
Examples
the secretary-general of the united nations addressed the general assembly.
she was appointed secretary-general of the international trade federation.
the report was submitted directly to the secretary-general's office.