Myrmidon
/ˈmɜːr.mɪ.dɒn/noun
A servile follower who obeys orders unquestioningly.
Did you know?In Greek myth, the Myrmidons were said to descend from ants transformed into people by Zeus, making this one of the most literal “from swarm to soldier” origin stories in literature.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek myth
Greek
Myrmidones
“A people in Thessaly said in myth to have been created from ants and famed as Achilles’ warriors”
Ancient Greek
Greek
myrmēx
“Ant”
Latin
Latin
Myrmidones
“The Myrmidons, the Greek war-band of Achilles”
16th Century
English
Myrmidon
“A follower or soldier, especially a ruthless subordinate”
Modern English
English
myrmidon
“A blind or servile follower, especially one who carries out another's orders”
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