Hunnish

[ huhn-ish ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Huns.
2. (sometimes lowercase) barbarous; destructive.

ˈHunnish

/ ˈhʌnɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Huns
2. barbarously destructive; vandalistic

Derived Forms

• ˈHunnishly, adverb
• ˈHunnishness, noun

Other Words From

• Hunnish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hunnish¹

First recorded in 1810–20; Hun + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

"I suppose our passengers won't get up to any of their Hunnish tricks?" observed Kenneth.

From Project Gutenberg

Already Germany had claimed a glorious and colossal naval victory, and the tardiness of the British Government in giving the lie direct to the boastful Hunnish claims gave, at least temporarily, a severe shock to neutrals' belief in the invincibility of Britain's sea power.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that the use of glass for windows was only gradually extending itself at the time when Roman civilization sank under the torrent of German and Hunnish barbarism, and that its employment for optical instruments was only known in a rudimentary stage; but for domestic purposes, for architectural decoration and for personal ornaments glass was unquestionably much more used than at the present day.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll tell you what to do; To my good friends go tender my love and service true, And bid them deign ride hither, and taste our Hunnish cheer.

From Project Gutenberg

Of all the craft and cunning nothing yet knew he, Wherewith about her kinsmen the queen her toils had wound, That not a soul among them came back from Hunnish ground.

From Project Gutenberg