alan
alan Lexical Profile
alan Game Scores & Validity
• noun
(usually capitalized) A member of an ancient and medieval Iranian nomadic pastoral people of the North Caucasus who migrated into Europe during the late Roman period.
"The Alans migrated westward across the Pontic steppe and eventually established settlements in Gaul and Hispania."
(historical or heraldry) A large, fierce hunting dog or medieval mastiff-like hound formerly used in Europe for hunting wild boar and wolves, and depicted as a charge or supporter in heraldry.
"In medieval manuscripts, the nobleman is depicted leading a pair of white alans on heavy leather leashes."
• Rhymes for alan
Word Origin & Etymology
The historical canine sense comes from Middle English alant, via Old French alant, originally referring to the large hunting dogs bred by the Alans, an ancient Iranian nomadic pastoral people of the North Caucasus whose name derives from the Old Iranian root aryana ('Aryan' or 'noble').