Meanings
plural fuglemen · alternative fugelman
- The member of a military group who leads the way or demonstrates drill; hence, someone who keeps the beat or timing, and/or demonstrates motions in other contexts.
1 more example
A "Haka" is the native dance, answering to the corroboree of the Australian aboriginals, and we were anxious to see it. […] Later in the evening, however, the complaisant Herekiekie entertained a small and select party at a "Haka" in his "whare" or house (pronounced wharry). It was exactly what I expected. The performers, all male, stood in a row, one, slightly advanced, acting as fugleman. They shouted and gesticulated with the most hideous and revolting gestures, grimaces, and yells.
1876 January, “A Week among the Maoris of Lake Taupo”, in The Cornhill Magazine, volume XXXIII, number 193, London: Smith, Elder & Co., 15 Waterloo Place, →OCLC, page 65 - broadlyA political leader, or a ringleader.
Origin
- GermanFlügelmann“a file-leader”
- Englishfugleman
From earlier flugleman, flugelman, from German Flügelmann (“a file-leader”), from Flügel (“a wing, file”) + Mann (“man”).
More words from German
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Māori kaihautu, kaituki
- kaihautusomeone who keeps the beat or timing
- kaitukisomeone who keeps the beat or timing
Cite this entry
fugleman. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fugleman
“fugleman.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fugleman. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fugleman,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fugleman.
Source: fugleman on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.