‖ uhlan
(ˈuːlən, ˈjuːlən)
Also 8–9 ulan; 8 houlan, 9 hulan.
[a. F. uhlan, hulan, houlan, G. uhlan, ulan (Da. and Sw. ulan, It. ulano), a. Polish ułan, hułan (Czech ulan, hulan, Serb. ulan, Russ. ulan), ad. Turk. oghlān (pop. ōlān), son, youth, servant.]
A special type of cavalryman or lancer in various European armies (originally in Slavonic countries, esp. Poland; subsequently spec. in the German Empire).
| α 1753 Scots. Mag. Jan. 3/2 The surplus..consisted of Tartars and Ulans, whom he chose to keep in his pay. 1799 W. Tooke View Russian Emp. I. 418 In their clothes they resembled the Poles, or rather the polish Ulans. 1802 James Milit. Dict. s.v., The Ulans generally engage the enemy in small platoons or squads. |
| β 1768 Ann. Reg., Chron. 126 They write from Warsaw, that an officer of Houlans..has been grievously insulted by a Russian officer. 1809 R. K. Porter Trav. Sk. Russia & Sweden (1813) I. 171 One of the most superb regiments in the Russian service is that of the Hulans, commanded by the Archduke Constantine. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. iii. i. i, Flying hulans and hussars have been seen on the Châlons road. 1851 Gallenga Italy 131 Three squadrons of hulans and four companies of Croatians. |
| γ 1771 Gentl. Mag. XLI. 478 The King [of Poland] was not escorted as usual by his guard of twelve Uhlans. 1809 Lond. Chron. 6 July 18/2 Three regiments of infantry, one of uhlans, and a battalion of the Bohemian Landwehr. 1889 Baden-Powell Pigsticking xi. 71 In that campaign, Hans Breitmann, serving as a uhlan, observed the number of sows that were about in the Ardennes. |
| attrib. 1812 Examiner 7 Dec. 781/1 Three Uhlan regiments of Guards. 1887 Sir W. W. Hunter in Skrine Life xviii. (1901) 367 The horses go well, and my Uhlan groom is careful and intelligent. |
| transf. 1886 Pall Mall G. 6 March 5/2 Those uhlans of commerce who have lately been so urgently calling for the establishment of railway communication with China through Burmah. |
Hence
ˈuhlaner.
| 1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 265 The cavalry officer, be he of the huszárs, the uhlaners, or of any other mounted body of men, represents in most cases blood and fortune. |