Forgive my ignorance of the English language... I don't know what a minion is

I know the blue things which pick up arrows through the graveyard fence, but I somehow doubt that that is the traditional meaning of the word.
So I looked it up at
www.dictionary.com:
min·ion Audio pronunciation of "minion" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mnyn)
n.
1. An obsequious follower or dependent; a sycophant.
2. A subordinate official.
3. One who is highly esteemed or favored; a darling.
Unfortunately this makes no sense to me at all... anyone care to explain to me in easy words what a minion is? Thanks in advance.
Kind regards