myrmidon

From Myrmidon, from Latin Myrmidones, from Ancient Greek Μυρμιδόνες (Murmidónes).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈməːmɪd(ə)n/[1]

myrmidon (plural myrmidons)

1. A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes orders of a superior without protest or pity (sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc).

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:loyal follower

   • 1842, "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (a play by George Dibden Pitt based on an existing story) at Act III, Scene II:

     Tobias (to Jonas Fogg, manager of a madhouse): "I will die ere I submit to you or your vile myrmidons."

   • 1912, Alexander Berkman, chapter 6, in Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist:

     My heart wells up in admiration of the man, as I think of his participation in the memorable struggle of Homestead. He fought the Pinkertons, the myrmidons of Capital.

   • 1934, Rex Stout, Fer-de-Lance, 1992 Bantam edition, →ISBN, pages 177–178:

     […] headed for a revelation to the District Attorney that would probably result in my having the pleasure of meeting H. R. Corbett or some other flatfooted myrmidon […]

• catchpole, catchpoll