henchman

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English henxman (“page, attendant”), from Old English *hengstmann, *hengestmann (“groom”, literally “horseman”), from hengst, hengest (“stallion, horse, steed, gelding”) (from Proto-Germanic *hangistaz (“stallion”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱanḱest-, *kankest- (“horse”)) + mann (“man”). Cognate with archaic German Hengstmann (“a groom”), Icelandic hestamaður (“horseman, groom”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈhɛnt͡ʃ.mən/ === Noun === henchman (plural henchmen) A loyal and trusted follower or subordinate. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:loyal follower A person who supports a political figure chiefly out of selfish interests. An assistant member of a criminal gang. (obsolete) A page to a prince or other person of high rank. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === “henchman”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.