uhlan

[ 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"?

From BBC

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

From Wall Street Journal

"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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg