ulan

[oo-lahn, yoo-luh n]

noun

uhlan.

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for ulan

ulan

noun

a less common variant of 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 ulan

uhlan

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