henxman

Noun

henchman (plural henchmen)

1. A loyal and trusted follower or subordinate.

   Synonyms:

   acolyte, adjutant, aide, bootlicker, disciple, flunkey, footman, satrap, follower, hireling

2. A person who supports a political figure chiefly out of selfish interests.
   • The glib sophistries of the special pleader and the verdant gullibility of the public; the ridiculous, now happily fast disappearing partisan bias of the voter and the venal instincts of the political henchman; the lack of proper moral stamina in much of our public press, and the tardiness of...1906, W. G. Joerns, “The Railroad Hold-up”, in Watson's Magazine, volume 5, page 397
3. An assistant member of a criminal gang.
   • Johnny Genaro, chief of staff to Al Capone, was “put on the spot” in a crowded street in Chicago on Saturday night.1931 March 24, “AL CAPONE'S HENCHMAN MURDERED”, in Tuesday Express
4. (obsolete) A page to a prince or other person of high rank.
   • Henchmen had placed, as was their habit, each warrior's gear and trappings above his pile of skins.1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 33