SuaviloquyToday’s word

henchman

Henchman, n.; pl. -men.

Etymology: [OE. hencheman, henxman; prob. fr. OE. & AS. hengest horse + E. man, and meaning, a groom. AS. hengest is akin to D. & G. hengst stallion, OHG. hengist horse, gelding.]

An attendant; a servant; a follower. Now chiefly used as a political cant term.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for henchman; he lists it under accessory.

Where he writes about it:

Follower, henchman, retainer are persons especially devoted to a chief, and generally bound to him by necessity, fee, or reward. — from accessory

Synonyms

accessoryabetterabettoraccompliceallyassistantassociateattendantcoadjutorcolleaguecompanionconfederatefollowerhelperparticipatorpartnerretainer

Antonyms

adversaryantagonistbetrayerchiefcommanderenemyfoehindererinstigatorleaderopponentopposerprincipalrival

etymologyWebster’s online