henchman

[hench-muhn]

noun

plural

henchmen 

1. an unscrupulous and ruthless subordinate, especially a criminal.

   The leader of the gang went everywhere accompanied by his henchmen.

2. an unscrupulous supporter or adherent of a political figure or cause, especially one motivated by the hope of personal gain.

   Hitler and his henchmen.

   Synonyms: cohort, lackey, flunky

3. a trusted attendant, supporter, or follower.

4. Obsolete.,  a squire or page.

henchman

/ ˈhɛntʃmən /

noun

1. a faithful attendant or supporter

2. archaic,  a squire; page

Other Word Forms

• henchmanship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of henchman¹

1325–75; Middle English henchman, henshman, henksman, hengestman, Old English hengest stallion (cognate with German Hengst ) + man man

Word History and Origins

Origin of henchman¹

C14: hengestman, from Old English hengest stallion + _man ; related to Old Norse hestr horse, Old High German hengist gelding

Example Sentences

He concluded: “The authoritarian feeds on fear and ignorance and when people who can stand up for their rights articulate it humorously, it helps to bring the henchman down.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As Starky, one of the villain's henchmen, he will have to put up with a bit of booing, but "I can handle that", he added.

Read more on BBC

And it is all being fed by sycophants and henchmen who have created a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Read more on Salon

But some have called for him to go further, saying his continued involvement with El Sistema makes him the president's "puppet and henchman".

Read more on BBC

Multiple sources have described how gang leaders, who keep one step ahead of the authorities by changing mobile phone numbers and the gang's name, subjected their henchmen and migrants to violent beatings.

Read more on BBC