what is a martinet
1 In an extended sense, a martinet is any person who believes strict adherence to rules and etiquette is paramount. 2  Martinets often use etiquette and other rules as an excuse to trump ethics, to the point that etiquette loses its ethical ground. In an extended sense, a martinet is any person who believes strict adherence to rules and etiquette is paramount. 2  Martinets often use etiquette and other rules as an excuse to trump ethics, to the point that etiquette loses its ethical ground.