henchman
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English hencheman, henseman, henxman (“a groom, page, attendant”), from Old English *hengstmann, *hengestmann (literally “horse-man”), from hengst, hengest (“stallion, horse, steed, gelding”) (from Proto-Germanic *hangistaz (“stallion”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱanḱest-, *kankest- (“horse”)) + mann (“man”). Cognate with German Hengstmann (“a groom”), Icelandic hestamaður (“horseman, groom”). More at man.
[edit] Noun
henchman (plural henchmen)
- A loyal and trusted follower or subordinate.
- A person who supports a political figure chiefly out of selfish interests.
- A member of a criminal gang.
- (obsolete) A page to a prince or other person of high rank.
