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Webster 1913 Edition
Myrmidon
Myr′mi-don
,Noun.
[L.
Myrmidones
, Gr. Μυρμιδόνες
, pl.] 1.
One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompanied
Achilles
, their king, to the Trojan war. 2.
A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; – sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc.
Thackeray.
With unabated ardor the vindictive man of law and his
myrmidons
pressed forward. W. H. Ainsworth.
Webster 1828 Edition
Myrmidon
MYR'MIDON
,Noun.
Definition 2024
Myrmidon
Myrmidon
See also: myrmidon
English
Proper noun
Myrmidon
- One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompanied Achilles, their king, to the Trojan war.
myrmidon
myrmidon
See also: Myrmidon
English
Noun
myrmidon (plural myrmidons)
- A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes orders of a superior without protest or pity (sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc).
- 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." - 1934, Rex Stout, Fer-de-Lance, 1992 Bantam edition, ISBN 0553278193, 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 […]
- 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: