First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
henchman
noun hench·man \ˈhench-mən\
: a trusted follower or supporter who performs unpleasant, wrong, or illegal tasks for a powerful person (such as a politician or criminal)
Full Definition of HENCHMAN
1
obsolete : a squire or page to a person of high rank
2
a : a trusted follower : a right-hand man b : a political follower whose support is chiefly for personal advantage c : a member of a gang
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Origin of HENCHMAN
Middle English henshman, hengestman groom, from hengest stallion (from Old English) + man; akin to Old High German hengist gelding
Rhymes with HENCHMAN
HENCHMAN Defined for Kids
henchman
noun hench·man \ˈhench-mən\
plural hench·men \-mən\
Definition of HENCHMAN for Kids
: a trusted follower or supporter and especially someone who performs unpleasant or illegal tasks
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