Handlanger — meaning in English

English meaning

• accessory noun An additional item that complements or completes something, especially an outfit.
• accomplice noun A person who helps someone else commit a crime.
• grunt noun A short, low, snorting sound, often expressing effort, annoyance, or reluctance.
• hand noun The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects.
• handyman noun A person who does small repairs and odd jobs, especially around the house.
• henchman noun A loyal follower or subordinate who carries out orders, often without question — frequently used of a villain's or gang leader's helpers.
• instrument noun A tool, especially a precise one used for measuring, medical work, or scientific tasks.
• stooge noun Someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work.

Senses

Handlanger is used for these senses in English:

• accessory (legal) A person who is not present at a crime, but contributes to it as an assistant or instigator. [from 1414]
• accomplice (rare) A cooperator.
• dogsbody (British, Ireland) A person who does menial work, a servant.
• grunt A person who does ordinary and boring work.
• hand (especially in compounds) An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.
• handlanger (South Africa) An unskilled assistant to an artisan.
• handyman (informal) A person who does small tasks and odd jobs, especially building repairs and the like.
• hod carrier A bricklayer’s or mason’s laborer who carries bricks, mortar, cement and the like in a hod.

accessory — full definition

1. noun An additional item that complements or completes something, especially an outfit.
2. noun A person who helps someone commit a crime without directly carrying it out.
3. adj Supplementary or secondary rather than essential.

Related German words