noun
- one of a group of lancers in a light-cavalry unit, first appearing in Europe in the Polish army.
- one of such a group as later developed into heavy cavalry in western European armies, especially in Germany.
noun
- history a member of a body of lancers first employed in the Polish army and later in W European armies
n.“cavalryman,” 1753, from German Uhlan, from Polish ułan “a lancer,” from Turkish oghlan “a youth.” For sense evolution, cf. infantry.