MINION  , a favourite, pet or spoiled

person . The word is adapted from the Fr. mignon (Ital. mignone), of which the origin is doubtful . Connexions with the O.H . Ger. minna, love, and with a Celtic root min-, meaning small, have been suggested . " Minion " is chiefly applied in a derogatory sense to the " creatures " of a royal court, and thus has been used of the favourites of Edward II. and James I. of England, and of Henry III. of France . In the sense pretty, delicate, dainty, the French form mignon or mignonne is often used in English . During the .17th century " minion " was the name of a type of cannon with a small bore .