I. ˈminyən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French mignon darling, from mignot dainty, wanton, from Old French, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish mīn smooth, gentle — more at mitigate
1. : an obsequious or servile dependent : creature 3a
the inability of a dictator's minions to tell him the truth — Reinhold Niebuhr
2. : a piece of light artillery of about 3-inch caliber and 125 paces range used in the 16th and 17th centuries
3. : one highly esteemed and favored : favorite , idol
his great charity to the poor renders him the minion of the people — Jonas Hanway
4.
[French mignonne, feminine of mignon ]
: an old size of type of approximately 7-point and between nonpareil and brevier
5. : a subordinate (as an agent, deputy, or follower) of an individual or organization ; especially : one having an official status
the masters, not the minions of the state — Russell Davenport
a little fat director … was dispatching minions to chivvy and silence the gaping natives — Jeremy Potter
invasion of their homes by governmental minions — Books of the Month
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle French mignon, from mignot dainty, wanton
archaic : delicate , dainty , pretty
made … a downward crescent of her minion mouth — Alfred Tennyson
III.
variant of munnion