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Noun: headman (headmen)  hed-mun
  1. A male head of a tribe or clan
    "The headman called a meeting to discuss important tribal matters"
     
  2. A male executioner who beheads the condemned person
    "In medieval times, the headman's axe was a symbol of justice and fear";
    - headsman [archaic]

Derived forms: headmen

Type of: adult male, bozo [N. Amer, informal], cat [N. Amer, informal], chappie [Brit, informal], chief, chieftain, executioner, geezer [Brit, informal], guy [informal], hombre [N. Amer, informal], man, public executioner, sod [informal], tribal chief

Encyclopedia: Headman