hireling

American  

[hahyuhr-ling] / ˈhaɪər lɪŋ /

noun

1. a person who works only for pay, especially in a menial or boring job, with little or no concern for the value of the work.

   Synonyms:

   retainer, lackey, flunky, minion, menial

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adjective

1. serving for pay only.

2. venal; mercenary.

hireling British  

/ ˈhaɪəlɪŋ /

noun

1. derogatory a person who works only for money, esp one paid to do something unpleasant

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Etymology

Origin of hireling

First recorded before 1000; late Middle English hirlyng, Old English hȳrling; hire, -ling ¹

Example Sentences

Besides, his tasks were those of a hireling; no matter how expertly he did them, he could not hope to progress to anything better, as even the most stupid apprentice did.

From Literature

He was not accustomed to being called “honored master” by even his lowliest hireling.

From Literature

In 1982, Arafat accused Abu Nidal of being a hireling of MOSSAD, Israel's elite intelligence agency.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dean notes that some Chinese couples see the procedure as strictly a business transaction, viewing the surrogate mother as a hireling.

From Chicago Tribune

Pinneberg's employer has been planning to marry his hireling to his daughter; when he learns his clerk has already taken a wife, he discharges Pinneberg.

From Time Magazine Archive