minion

plural minions

1. countableuncountableA loyal servant of another, usually a more powerful being.

   The archvillain deployed his minions to simultaneously rob every bank in the city.

   1 more example

   In the past two years, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has located nearly 3,000 exoplanet candidates ranging from sub-Earth-sized minions to gas giants that dwarf our own Jupiter.

   2013 May-June, Kevin Heng, “Why Does Nature Form Exoplanets Easily?”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 184

   Synonyms: disciple, follower, acolyte, adjutant, aide, bootlicker, disciple, flunkey

2. countableuncountableA sycophantic follower.
3. uncountablemediaThe size of type between nonpareil and brevier, standardized as 7-point.
4. countableobsoleteuncountableA loved one; one highly esteemed and favoured.

   God's disciple and his dearest minion

   1608, Josuah Sylvester, Du Bartas his divine weekes and workes

   1 more example

   Is this the Athenian minion whom the world / Voiced so regardfully?

   c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]

5. countableobsoleteuncountableAn ancient form of ordnance with a calibre of about three inches.

   Gun. My Cannons rung like Bells. Here's to my Mistress, The dainty sweet brass Minion: split their Fore-mast, She never fail'd.

   1647, Francis Beaumont, Philip Massinger, The Double Marriage (play), published 1717, page 19

6. countableobsoleteuncountableObsolete form of minium.

   Of philosophers and scholars priscae sapientiae dictatores, I have already spoken in general terms, those superintendents of wit and learning, men above men, those refined men, minions of the muses.

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC

comparative more minion · superlative most minion

1. obsoleteFavoured, beloved; "pet".

   These favours, with the commodities that follow minion Courtiers, corrupt[…]his libertie, and dazle his judgement.

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], book 1, P.148, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC