Handlanger — meaning in English
German → English · translate English → German instead
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
- noun An additional item that complements or completes something, especially an outfit.
- noun A person who helps someone commit a crime without directly carrying it out.
- adj Supplementary or secondary rather than essential.