Hun

views 3,024,427 updated Jun 08 2018

Hun / hən/ • n. 1. a member of a warlike Asiatic nomadic people who ravaged Europe in the 4th–5th centuries. ∎ a reckless or uncivilized destroyer of something.2. inf., derog. a German (esp. in military contexts during World War I and World War II). ∎ (the Hun) Germans collectively.DERIVATIVES: Hun·nish adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Hun

views 2,718,352 updated May 11 2018

Hun a member of a warlike Asiatic nomadic people who invaded and ravaged Europe in the 4th–5th centuries; their famous leader was Attila.

In extended usage, Hun denotes a reckless or uncivilized destroyer of something; it is also (especially in military contexts during the First and Second World Wars) a derogatory term for a German.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Hun

views 1,370,701 updated Jun 11 2018

Hun. Constituent element in Chinese anthropology, one of two non-corporeal elements to make up the living human being (the other being pʾo). The two must interact harmoniously for life to continue; when they separate, death ensues.

For their destiny after death, see SHEN.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions JOHN BOWKER

Hun

views 1,348,708 updated May 17 2018

Hun OE. (pl.) Hūne, Hūnas, corr. to MHG. Hūnen, Hiunen (G. Hunnen), ON. Húnar, also Hýnar — late L. Hunnī, Hūnī, Gr. Hoûnnoi — Sogdian χwn.
Hence Hunnish XIX.