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Klan (n.)
1867, short for ku klux klan.
Entries linking to Klan
Ku Klux Klan 1867, American English, originally Kuklux Klan, a made-up name, supposedly from Greek kuklos, kyklos "circle" (see cycle (n.)) + English clan. Originally an organization of former Confederate officers and soldiers, it was put down by the U.S. military in the 1870s. Revived 1915 as a national racist Protestant fraternal organization, it grew to prominence but fractured in the 1930s. It had a smaller national revival 1950s as an anti-civil rights group, later with anti-government leanings. In late 19c. often simply Kuklux.
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updated on November 29, 2012
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Definitions of Klan from WordNet
Klan (n.)
a secret society of white Southerners in the United States; was formed in the 19th century to resist the emancipation of slaves; used terrorist tactics to suppress Black people;
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.
