Xiongnu

An ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han dynasty.

Noun

  1. An ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han dynasty.

Origin

Borrowed from the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of Mandarin 匈奴 (Xiōngnú). Possibly a doublet of Hun; their relationship to the Huns is disputed.

Forms

Hsiung-nu Hiong-Nu Hiong-nu Hsiung-Nu Hunnu