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
An episode might follow someone who had long suffered driving an unreliable, junker of a car.
From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2022
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
His first car was a junker that he spent two years rebuilding before it would run.
From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2012
He glanced at Genie then back at Grandpop before grabbing the bottle and toe-bouncing back to his junker.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
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.
