henchman

American  

[hench-muhn] / ˈhɛntʃ mən /

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.

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henchman British  

/ ˈhɛntʃmən /

noun

1. a faithful attendant or supporter

2. archaic a squire; page

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Other Word Forms

• henchmanship noun

Etymology

Origin of henchman

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

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.”

From 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.

From BBC

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

From Salon

Gunn has sarcastically tried to make the place look cheery — Luthor’s henchmen are dressed in mismatched Hawaiian shirts — but the sequence might give you the shivers.

From Los Angeles Times

The Galactic Emperor’s top henchman and the freedom fighter Luke Skywalker were related?

From Los Angeles Times