(n.) An loyal political assistant or criminal gang member\.

adherent appendage associate attendant bodyguard buddy buff cavaliere servente cohort confidant courtier creature crony dangler dependent disciple dummy fan figurehead flunky follower following gangster gillie goon gunsel hanger-on hatchet man heavy heeler homme de cour hooligan jackal lackey man minion myrmidon parasite partisan public puppet pursuer pursuivant retainer right-hand man satellite sectary servant shadow sidekick stooge successor supporter sycophant tagtail tail thug torpedo trainbearer votary ward heeler