understrapper

[ uhn-der-strap-er ]

noun

1. an underling.

understrapper

/ ˈʌndəˌstræpə /

noun

1. a less common word for underling

Word History and Origins

Origin of understrapper¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; under- + strapper

Word History and Origins

Origin of understrapper¹

C18: from strap (in the archaic sense: to work hard)

Example Sentences

Michael Palin also threatened to "make the torture worse by shouting a lot", a role that fell to Sajid Javid, a Treasury understrapper who bellows a very great deal.

From The Guardian

On Thursday he was in Germany, on a long-planned trip to promote British business, according to an understrapper.

From The Guardian

Understrapper, un′dėr-strap-ėr, n. an inferior agent, an underling, a subordinate, a petty fellow.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

This was the real touchstone; the first was a mere preliminary observation by a medical understrapper; but this was conducted by a more knowing doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

Out of mistimed compassion he was brought up once more from the grave;--to spare a sick priest, they had the folly to let loose the bishop's understrapper, so that he was able to flee, and stir up heaven and earth to work our ruin.

From Project Gutenberg