Klingon
proper nounnounproper nounattested in dialogue
- United States//ˈklɪŋɑn//
- United States//ˈkliŋɑn//
- //ˈklɪŋɒn//
A surname.
proper noun
- 1
A surname.
Etymology
In many cases, from German Klingen, via Russian Клинген (Klingen) (many bearers in 1900s US censuses are recorded as being from Russia). Compare the various spellings of the related surname Klingon Smith (more commonly Klingensmith, Klingenschmitt, Klingenschmidt).
noun
- 1
A member of an alien warrior race in the Star Trek universe with distinctive forehead ridges and a culture based on the strict observance of honor, loyalty, and combat.
SPOCK: Captain, we've reached the designated position for scanning the coded directive tape. KIRK: Good. We've both guessed right. Negotiations with the Klingon Empire are on the verge of breaking down. Starfleet Command anticipates a surprise attack. We are to proceed to Organia and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the Klingons from using it as a base.
Etymology
[Alt: Photograph of two people in Klingon costume] c. 1960s, from the Star Trek franchise, purportedly by Gene Roddenberry, named for Lieutenant Wilbur Clingan of the Los Angeles Police Department. In-universe, the name was a transcription of Klingon tlhIngan.
proper noun
- 1
An artificial language created by Marc Okrand for the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
You might be familiar with more a priori conlangs than you think: The Klingon language from the television series "Star Trek," the Na’vi language from the movie "Avatar," and the Dothraki language from the television series "Game of Thrones" are all examples of a priori languages.
The years roll by as they always do, and more examples of pIqaD usage for Klingon have been coming to light. Does this still not count as usage?
Forms
- plural
- Klingons