lackey

or lac·quey

[ lak-ee ]

noun

, plural lack·eys.

1. a servile follower; toady.
2. a footman or liveried manservant.

verb (used with object)

, lack·eyed, lack·ey·ing.

1. to attend as a lackey does.

lackey

/ ˈlækɪ /

noun

1. a servile follower; hanger-on
2. a liveried male servant or valet
3. a person who is treated like a servant

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by for to act as a lackey (to)

Other Words From

• un·lackeyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lackey¹

1520–30; < Middle French laquais, perhaps < Catalan lacayo, alacayo < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of lackey¹

C16: via French laquais, from Old French, perhaps from Catalan lacayo, alacayo; perhaps related to alcalde

Example Sentences

A buck-naked Jamal—don't ask—is dealing with the lackey by beating him in a bathroom.

From The Daily Beast

Bassam shouts, just as Jamal slices into the screaming lackey's fingers with a straight razor.

From The Daily Beast

When Wayne returns, the U.S. government sends its lackey Superman to pound some sense into Batman.

From The Daily Beast

Last term Netanyahu gave the post to his lackey Yuval Steinitz, who was never heard from again.

From The Daily Beast

An aide named Miles Lackey was sitting in the front passenger seat.

From The Daily Beast

A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.

From Project Gutenberg

The soldier lackey resigned the reins to Rabecque, and requested Monsieur de Garnache to follow him.

From Project Gutenberg

But mindful of her fears, he dispatched one of the troopers to stand sentry outside her door whilst he and his lackey supped.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned to Rabecque, and the sight of his face sent the lackey back a pace or two in very fear.

From Project Gutenberg

Rabecque, reflecting his master's mood—as becomes a good lackey—rode silent and gloomy a pace or two in the rear.

From Project Gutenberg