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

Sure, masthead myrmidons will have enough copy in the hopper to keep that homepage humming for a little while, and it's not as though the app on your phone will suddenly go blank.

From Salon

Adams charged Attucks with being a hero of the "myrmidons" — literal ant-men of Greek mythology, who followed orders without question — whose very presence in the street was "an unlawful assembly."

From Salon

It is positively known that 33 men have been put to death by the Central Committee or their myrmidons since the 18th of March.

From The Guardian

They were the quiet myrmidons of what Harvard professor Joseph Nye called “soft power”, persuasion through cultural influence rather than brute force.

From The Guardian

He left, pacing the deck, and Bono inquired, “What is a myrmidon?” to which Trefusis rapidly replied, “Good God, sir! Continue!”

From Literature

Related Words

• companion
• comrade
• disciple
• follower