uhlan

Rarely u·lan

[oo-lahn, yoo-luhn]

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.

uhlan

/ ˈuːlɑːn, ˈjuːlən /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of uhlan¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of uhlan¹

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

Example Sentences

Was one of the Uhlan soldiers responsible for the death of "Old Parr"?

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Torchbearer Alexei Radnayev galloped near Uhlan Ude, about 2,700 miles southeast of Moscow, in November.

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"Where did you get it from?" asked the Uhlan, now joined by several of his comrades who had been left in charge of the horses of those searching the wood.

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The Uhlan prisoners were stripped of their uniforms, clad in coarse garments provided by the villagers, and roped together.

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The three infantrymen in the wagon were obviously amazed, not so much at being ordered about by a Uhlan, as at the apparent purposelessness of the command.

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