ronin

plural ronins · alternative rōnin

1. A masterless samurai (who often becomes a mercenary to make ends meet).

   Back at Asano’s home in Ako, his chancellor, Oishi (Tatsuo Ichikawa), rallies the samurai, now known as ronin because they are without a master, in a campaign to avenge Asano and restore his clan’s honor.

   2022 October 24, Elisabeth Vincentelli, “‘Chushingura — 47 Ronin’ Review: A Sprawling Tale of Loyalty”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 27 Oct 2022

2. colloquialA student who has failed the entrance examination for the high school or university of their choice: if the student does not wish to take the exam the following year or is unable to, the student becomes a ronin, assuming full responsibility for their own training and survival.

1. A male given name originating as a coinage.

   He shook Chaz's hand. “Please call me Ronin.” Ronin. The sexy, mysterious name fit him perfectly.

   2014, Lorelei James, Bound: The Mastered Series, Penguin, →ISBN