A rōnin (浪人?) or rounin was a Bushi with no lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.
In modern usage, the term is also applied to describe a salaryman who is "between employers" or a secondary school graduate who has not yet been admitted to university.
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