returned man

noun

, Canadian.

1. a member of the armed forces discharged in Canada after service overseas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of returned man¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

But while they often returned man, post-apocalypse, to a hopeful, pastoral existence, their pulp and hard sci-fi descendants — many of who had come of age during world wars and nuclear standoffs — pushed humanity right over the edge.

From New York Times

"I didn't know you were a returned man," the sergeant said placatingly.

From Project Gutenberg

A returned man told me about hearing a lark sing one morning as the sun rose over the shell-scarred, desolated battlefield, with its smouldering piles of ruins which had once been human dwelling-places, and broken, splintered trees which the day before had been green and growing.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, Lionel, the returned man is John Massingbird."

From Project Gutenberg

The returned man will claim, above all things, honest dealing, and for this reason the tricky politicians who "put it over" in the pre-war days will not have so easy a time.

From Project Gutenberg