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a soldier assigned to an officer as a servant.
Contemporary Examples

If George Clooney is batman, then Grant Heslov is his real-life Robin.
Grant Heslov Is the Robin to George Clooney’s Batman Andrew Romano February 6, 2014

Either way, it seems that batman, despite being the hero the city deserves, is not the one it needs right now.
Amateur Stuntmen, the iPhone 6, and More Viral Videos Jack Holmes August 29, 2014

batman resents Superman for disbanding the Justice League and retreating into isolating.
The Super-Stuffed Superhero Movie Chancellor Agard December 10, 2013

batman and Robin was universally panned upon its release, and was nominated for 17 awards at the Razzies.
The 11 Worst Sequel Ideas to Come out of Hollywood Chancellor Agard November 19, 2013

Schwarzenegger said the affair happened while the kids were away on vacation and he was finishing batman and Robin.
Speed Read Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Total Recall’: the 11 Juiciest Bits Luke Kerr-Dineen October 1, 2012

Historical Examples

Chaucer said he would be delighted, if we would send to his batman and tell him to bring down his razor and toothbrush.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 156, May 21, 1919. Various

The other was a military “batman,” a blue-eyed Yorkshireman.
The Watchers of the Plains Ridgewell Cullum

It was therefore scarcely surprising that the batman let off a round in his efforts to remove the cylinder.
The Fifth Battalion Highland Light Infantry in the War 1914-1918 F.L. Morrison

He slept soundly and was wakened an hour before dawn by his batman.
Tam O’ The Scoots Edgar Wallace

My batman Beedles had instructions to go back to billets with all my kit, and wait there for my return.
500 of the Best Cockney War Stories Various

noun (pl) -men
an officer’s personal servant in any of the armed forces
noun
a character in an American comic strip and several films who secretly assumes a batlike costume in order to fight crime
noun
John. 1801–39, a pioneer who selected the site of the city of Melbourne
n.

“officer’s servant,” originally military title for “man in charge of a bat-horse and its load,” 1755, from bat “pack-saddle” (late 14c.), from Old French bast (Modern French bât), from Late Latin bastum (see baton). Hence also batwoman (1941). The comic book hero dates from 1939.

A comic strip character that first appeared in 1939. With his faithful sidekick Robin (the Boy Wonder), Batman fights crime in Gotham City, foiling evil villains such as the Joker and the Riddler.

Note: Batman’s adventures have been widely adapted for television and a number of motion pictures.