Definition of "panjandrum" in English

noun

1. An important, powerful or influential person; muckamuck.

   • 1755, Samuel Foote, The Grand Panjandrum (a nonsense poem written to test actor Charles Macklin's claim that he could accurately recite any paragraph of text after a single reading), So he died, / and she very imprudently married the Barber: / and there were present / the Picninnies, / and the Joblillies, / and the Garyulies, / and the great Panjandrum himself, / with the little round button at top;
   • 1910, Eliakim Littell, Making of America Project, Robert S. Littell, Living age ... (Littell's Living Age), Volume 265, page 809, I think it's an excellent thing that the Great Panjandrum is coming for the week-end. Have you ever met him in private?" I ought to explain that the Great Panjandrum was the nickname for Lord Elkindale, the then Foreign Secretary.

2. A self-important or pretentious person.

3. (military) A massive, rocket-propelled, explosive-laden cart designed by the British military during World War II.