uhlan

or u·lan

[oo-lahn, yoo-luh n]

noun

one of a group of lancers in a light-cavalry unit, first appearing in Europe in the Polish army.
one of such a group as later developed into heavy cavalry in western European armies, especially in Germany.

Origin of uhlan

1745–55; < German < Polish ulan ≪ Turkish oğlan boy, lad

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for uhlan

squadron, horse, army, lancers, bowlegs, dragoons

Examples from the Web for uhlan

Historical Examples of uhlan

The uhlan came on at a very quick pace, carrying some dispatches.
A Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales
Guy De Maupassant
"And I think he was a Uhlan," went on Jimmie, pointing to other tracks.
Boy Scouts Mysterious Signal
G. Harvey Ralphson
It was the exclamation of the Uhlan who had stopped them in the afternoon.
The Boy Scouts on the Trail
George Durston
He bowed gravely to the Uhlan lieutenant, who saluted stiffly.
The Boy Scouts on the Trail
George Durston
"I have no confidence in Uhlan officers," said her spouse, darkly.
Lorraine
Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for uhlan

uhlan

ulan

noun

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

Word Origin for uhlan

C18: via German from Polish ulan, from Turkish ōlan young man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for uhlan

"cavalryman," 1753, from German Uhlan, from Polish ułan "a lancer," from Turkish oghlan "a youth." For sense evolution, cf. infantry.