executioner
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executioner
A person whose profession is to carry out death sentences.
Im Mittelalter war der Henker eine Person, die von der Gesellschaft zugleich gefürchtet und gemieden wurde.
In the Middle Ages, the executioner was a person who was both feared and shunned by society.
tormentor
In a figurative sense, a very cruel person or tormentor.
Sein Vorgesetzter ist ein wahrer Henker, der keine Fehler verzeiht.
His supervisor is a true tormentor who forgives no mistakes.
The exclamation 'Zum Henker!' (What the hell! / Damn it!) is an outdated but well-known expression used to express annoyance or frustration. It means something like 'Verdammt!' (Damn it!).
Wo ist denn mein Schlüssel, zum Henker!
Where on earth is my key, damn it!
In its literal meaning, the word 'Henker' (executioner) is used today almost only in historical contexts, when talking about the Middle Ages or the early modern period.
In dem Geschichtsbuch wird die Rolle des Henkers in der mittelalterlichen Stadt beschrieben.
The history book describes the role of the executioner in the medieval city.
In the figurative meaning, 'Henker' (tormentor) is often intensified with the adjective 'wahr' (true) or 'rein' (pure) to describe a person as extremely cruel or strict.
Mein alter Mathelehrer war ein wahrer Henker bei den Noten.
My old math teacher was a real tormentor when it came to grades.
hangman
Henker and Hängst can both refer to a person who formerly carried out death sentences. Henker is the usual word in standard German, while Hängst is dated or dialectal. Henker is appropriate in a normal historical text; use Hängst only when the old or regional expression is important.
Im Geschichtsbuch wird der Henker erwähnt, der damals das Todesurteil vollstreckte.
The history book mentions the executioner who carried out the death sentence at the time.
In dem alten Dialekttext wird der Hängst erwähnt, der damals das Todesurteil vollstreckte.
The old dialect text mentions the hangman who carried out the death sentence at the time.
