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Hun (iou)



Hun noun1.
[Old English Hune, Hunas (pl.), corresp. to Middle High German Hiunen (German Hunnen), Old Norse Hunar, Hnar, from late Latin Hunni, Huni, also Chunni, Chuni from Greek Hounnoi from Sogdian xwn (whence also Sanskrit Hua) = Chinese Xiongnu (Wade-Giles Hsiung-nu).]
Hist. A member of a warlike nomadic people of Asian origin who invaded Europe c 375 and who later, under their king Attila, overran and ravaged a great part of it. OE.
White Hun: see WHITE adjective.
transf. A wanton destroyer of the beauties of nature or art; gen. a person of brutal conduct or character. E19.
Chiefly during the war of 1914-18: a German. slang. derog. E20.