underhangman

underhangman

English

Etymology

under- +‎ hangman

Noun

underhangman (plural underhangmen)

1. (nonce word, Shakespeare) An assistant or deputy hangman.
   • c. 1609, William Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act II, Scene 3,

     […] thou wert dignified enough,

     Even to the point of envy, if ’twere made

     Comparative for your virtues, to be styled

     The under-hangman of his kingdom […]