Junker
/ˈjʊŋ.kɚ/noun
A young nobleman or a member of the old landed aristocracy, especially in Germany; also, a junk dealer or old discarded vehicle in some English uses.
Did you know?In German, Junker literally meant “young lord” and was used for members of the minor nobility, especially the powerful Prussian landed elite who shaped European history.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*jungaz
“young”
Old High German
OHG
junc
“young”
Middle High German
MHG
juncherre
“young lord; young nobleman”
Early Modern German
German
Junker
“young nobleman; member of the lesser nobility”
19th Century
English
junker
“a German nobleman; later, a junk dealer or scrap vehicle”