Etymology

ronin

R1O1N1I1N1

Today it means: A masterless samurai (who often becomes a mercenary to make ends meet). Full definition →

Japanese 浪人
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ronin · noun1

  1. Japanese · borrowed from浪人
  2. English todayronin

From Japanese 浪人 (rōnin), in turn from Middle Chinese 浪人 (MC langH nyin, “dissolute, wasteful, unrestrained + person”).

Ronin · proper noun2

From modern films and comics, perhaps literally "a ronin". Compare also Ronan.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.