Henchwoman

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A female associate who participates in unlawful activities alongside a more powerful individual
2. A woman who acts as a subordinate to a dominant figure, often aiding in illegal or unethical actions
3. A female partner in crime who supports or carries out orders from a leading person

Etymology: "Henchwoman" is a plain compound: "hench," an old English noun, combined with "woman." The "hench" part is the more interesting half. In Old English, "hengest" (later "hengst") meant a stallion, and by extension a groom or attendant, and "hench" in its earlier sense meant a riding horse or a servant who led one. Over time it narrowed to a personal attendant or retainer, and from that came the sense of a loyal follower who carries out a powerful person's orders, which is where the modern meaning of an accomplice grew. Because "hench" is a short, somewhat old-fashioned noun, the compound was formed by simply attaching "woman" to it, giving a feminine counterpart to "henchman." The term is therefore a straightforward formation rather than a word with a dramatic coinage story, and its meaning follows directly from the older sense of "hench" as a loyal attendant.

Synonyms: aide, assistant, supporter, accomplice, bodyguard

Antonyms: enemy, adversary, foe, rival, opponent