[G., from earlier junkher, -herr(e, f. MHG. junc (G. jung) YOUNG + herre: see HER sb., and cf. YOUNKER.]
A young German noble; as a term of reproach, a narrow-minded, overbearing (younger) member of the aristocracy of Prussia, etc.; spec. a member of the reactionary party of the aristocracy whose aim it is to maintain the exclusive social and political privileges of their class. Also attrib.
1554. Admon. Cert. Trewe Pastor & Prophet, Pref. A v b. And herewith let my Iunker papistes which now are in their ruff and tryumph … take their aduertisement.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., II. 499. Luther said, the papist Junkers were in this respect more Lutheran than the Lutherans themselves.
1865. Spectator, 11 Feb., 151. There is in Count Orloff’s speech a trace of ‘junker’ feeling.
1891. Blackw. Mag., Oct., 462/2. Bismarck is by instinct a ‘Junker,’ and the days of ‘Junkerdom’ are numbered.
Hence Junkerdom, the body or world of junkers; the condition or character of a junker; Junkerish a., characteristic of the junker party; Junkerism, the policy or spirit of the junkers.
1870. Daily Tel., 4 Oct., 2/3. It may be that some of the younger German officers are somewhat imperious…; indeed, I myself have had disagreeable experience of Junkerdom more than once.
1890. New Review, April, 290. Those were his [Bismarck’s] days of Junkerdom.
1878. Seeley, Stein, II. 522. These views of Münster were branded by Stein to myself as paltry and Junkerish.
1866. Daily Tel., 18 Jan., 5/3. Many professors and journalists, presumably most opposed to Junkerism.
