sherpa

noun

1. A member of a particular Himalayan ethnic group living in Nepal and Tibet, known especially as mountaineers.
2. A high-ranking government official who works tirelessly in the background to conclude the text of an official communiqué, typically from a G7 or G20 summit.

   “Sherpas from the European Union and 19 countries worked through the week to salvage a meaningful joint statement, culminating in an all-night session on Friday.”

3. (countable)A local mountain guide or porter, particularly a male of the Nepalese Sherpa people so employed.

   “Climbers have warned of overcrowding on K2 — the world’s second highest mountain and one of its deadliest — after a sherpa took video of queues snaking towards the summit.”

4. (countable)An expert accompanying a high-ranking leader to a summit meeting.
5. (countable, uncountable)A synthetic fabric with a long, thick pile, similar to faux fur, imitation lamb wool, or fleece.

name

1. The Southern Tibetan language of these people.

verb

1. (rare)To serve as a guide or porter for another.