Myrmidon

[ mur-mi-don, -dn ]

noun

, plural Myr·mi·dons, Myr·mid·o·nes [mur-, mid, -n-eez].

1. Classical Mythology. one of the warlike people of ancient Thessaly who accompanied Achilles to the Trojan War.
2. (lowercase) a person who executes without question or scruple a master's commands.

Myrmidon

/ ˈmɜːmɪˌdɒn; -dən /

noun

1. Greek myth one of a race of people whom Zeus made from a nest of ants. They settled in Thessaly and were led against Troy by Achilles
2. often not capital a follower or henchman

Word History and Origins

Origin of Myrmidon¹

Middle English, from Latin Myrmidones (plural), from Greek Myrmidónes; Myrmidon def 1 first recorded in 1425-75, and Myrmidon def 2 first recorded in 1625-50

Example Sentences

So Patroclus put on the splendid armor all the Trojans knew and feared, and led the Myrmidons, Achilles’ men, to the battle.

From Literature

He served on board MV Myrmidon, part of the task force dispatched to liberate the Falkland Islands after the Argentinean invasion in 1982.

From BBC

Aeschylus’s lost The Myrmidons also appeared to have had sexual and romantic love, between Achilles and Patroclus, at its heart.

From The Guardian

Grassy knolls teemed with minotaurs, cyborgs, warlocks, Myrmidons, figures clothed only in metallic body paint or Pan-like ivy tendrils.

From New York Times

For years they'd been repelling Myrmidons while listening to their leaders tell them to just sit it out and eventually the Greeks would go away.

From BBC

Related Words

• companion
• comrade
• disciple
• follower