释义 |
min·ion 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 |