uhlan

American  

[oo-lahn, yoo-luhn] / ˈu lɑn, ˈyu lən /

Rarely ulan

noun

1. one of a group of lancers in a light-cavalry unit, first appearing in Europe in the Polish army.

2. one of such a group as later developed into heavy cavalry in western European armies, especially in Germany.

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uhlan British  

/ ˈuːlɑːn, ˈjuːlən /

noun

1. history a member of a body of lancers first employed in the Polish army and later in W European armies

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Etymology

Origin of uhlan

First recorded in 1745–55; from German, from Polish ulan, ultimately from Turkish oğlan “boy, lad”

Example Sentences

I knocked over a uhlan yonder, and took his horse; I suppose they were guarding the wood, but it was by drinking and swilling in clover.

From The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3 by Maupassant, Guy de

"Your choice?" asked the uhlan, impatiently, after a moment's pause.

From Stories By English Authors: France (Selected by Scribners) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

If they were to take a look at the spurs, the way they tinkle, especially if a uhlan or some colonel or other is showing off—wonderful!

From Plays by Ostrovsky, Aleksandr Nicolaevich

The incident was closed by M. Gr�vy’s apologies and by the retirement of the minister of war, General Thibaudin, who under pressure from the extreme Left had declined to meet le roi uhlan.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 8 "France" to "Francis Joseph I." by Various

He was wearing the uhlan uniform of the Austrian regiment which he commanded; and a new order glittered amongst the others on his breast: the Golden Fleece of Austria.

From Majesty A Novel by Couperus, Louis