a member of a class of aristocratic landholders, especially in East Prussia, strongly devoted to militarism and authoritarianism, from among whom the German military forces recruited a large number of its officers.
a young German, especially Prussian, nobleman.
a German official or military officer who is narrow-minded, haughty, and overbearing.
history any of the aristocratic landowners of Prussia who were devoted to maintaining their identity and extensive social and political privileges
an arrogant, narrow-minded, and tyrannical German army officer or official
(formerly) a young German nobleman
1880–85, for an earlier sense; junk 1 + -er 1
1545–55; < German; Old High German junchērro, equivalent to junc young + hērro Herr
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So when a crew of construction workers comes to tow the junker away, the outraged children run home to share their misfortune with their parents, only to be quickly rebuffed.
From Salon • Jan. 24, 2023
Perhaps the old junker is part of an art installation, which brings us well into the realm of Freedom of Expression.
From Washington Times • Apr. 2, 2021
The couple have a teenage son, a junker of a car and desperate hopes that Fitz’s degree will bring a rosier future.
From Washington Post • May 23, 2019
Best friends since childhood, the two are still tight, but Lillian’s news throws Annie, who, after her cake shop has gone under, is struggling with her crummy job, junker car, weird roommates, everything.
From New York Times • May 12, 2011
“So, as you can see, we didn't steal the taxi. It's an old junker, and we were just...”
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
