henchman
noun/ˈhentʃmən/
/ˈhentʃmən/
(plural henchmen
(usually disapproving)/ˈhentʃmən/
/ˈhentʃmən/
)- a helper or supporter of a powerful person, for example a political leader or criminal, who is prepared to use violence or become involved in illegal activities to help that person
- his ruthless henchmen
- He sent one of his henchmen with orders to seize the pictures.
- Then he became aware of Carter’s two henchmen on either side of him.
Word OriginMiddle English, from Old English hengest ‘male horse’ + man, the original sense being probably ‘groom’. In the mid 19th cent. the sense ‘principal attendant of a Highland chief’ was popularized by Sir Walter Scott, and from here comes the current (originally US) usage.
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henchman