ENGLISH
REFERENCE

minion

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɪnjən// UK //mˈɪnɪən// min·ion Archaic

n. a person who follows the orders of a powerful leader, often doing boring or unpleasant work. It is a lighthearted way to describe someone's assistant or helper.

n. a subordinate or follower of a person in power, typically one who is unimportant and performs menial tasks. Often carries a humorous or slightly derogatory tone in modern usage.


SIMPLE

The villain sent his minions to capture the hero.

CONTEXTUAL

The CEO arrived at the conference followed by a group of minions carrying his bags and laptops.

COMPLEX

In classic literature, the antagonist is often portrayed with a loyal minion who executes the more tedious aspects of the grand plan without question.

Origin

1490, from Middle French mignon (“lover, royal favourite, darling”), from Old French mignon (“dainty, pleasing, gentle, kind”), from Frankish minnju (“love, friendship, affection, memory”), from Proto-Germanic minþijō, mindijō (“affectionate thought, care”), from Proto-Indo-European men- (“to think”). Doublet of mignon.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural form to describe a group of followers.

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