hordes

Horde is a noun that describes a large group, often moving in a disorderly or aggressive manner. Historically, the term referred to mobile military units of certain nomadic peoples in Eurasia, especially those of Turkic and Mongol origin. The word derives from the Turkic-Mongol root ordu, meaning camp or army, and it entered English via Russian and medieval Latin, where it often carried ethnocentric or sensational connotations in Western literature.

In historical contexts, "horde" has been used to describe the armies of the Mongol Empire and its successors, including the Golden Horde, a political and military faction that ruled portions of Russia and Eastern Europe during the 13th to 15th centuries. The term has since broadened to describe any large, unruly group or invading force, frequently with connotations of chaos and threat rather than disciplined organization.

In modern English, "horde" is commonly used to describe large crowds, such as fans, protesters, or migrating groups, highlighting size and perceived disorder rather than structure or plans. It can also carry a sense of speed or overwhelming force in journalistic and everyday usage, though this varies by context.

In popular culture, "horde" is frequently used as a faction name or descriptor in fantasy and gaming, signifying a numerous, often antagonistic army contrasted with more organized or noble factions. See also: Nomad, Mongol Empire, Golden Horde, Horde in fantasy fiction.