Meaning
A loyal and trusted follower or subordinate.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *hangistaz Proto-West Germanic *hangist Old English henġest Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Old English *henġestmann Middle English henxman English henchman Inherited from Middle English henxman (“page, attendant”), from Old English *henġestmann, *hengstmann (“groom”, literally “horseman”), from henġest (“stallion, horse, steed, gelding”) + mann (“man”). Akin to archaic German Hengstmann (“groom”) and Icelandic hestamaður (“horseman, groom”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles: