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compère

accomplice, crony

noun kohm-PEHR Rare
People & Society Relationships

Also means

godfather (old sense)

Usage Note

compère originally meant a godfather or close male friend, but today it most commonly refers to an accomplice or stooge — particularly the 'plant' or inside man in a magic act or con. The phrase compère et commère (male and female crony) refers to a pair of insiders. The feminine is commère.

Examples

"Le magicien avait un compère dans la salle."

Natural Translation

The magician had an accomplice in the audience.

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