noun
hetman
noun
1
A senior military commander or headman among the Cossacks, or a top military title historically used in Poland and Lithuania.
"The hetman led his Cossack forces into battle against the invading army."
How to Use Hetman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical military commander title, especially among Cossacks or in old Poland and Lithuania.
Word Forms
hetmans plural, hetmen plural
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The _____ led his Cossack forces into battle against the invading army.
Etymology
From Polish hetman, ultimately tracing back to a Germanic word related to modern German Hauptmann ("captain"). It is a doublet of the English phrase "head man."