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(“Scourge of God”) a.d. 406?–453, king of the Huns who invaded Europe: defeated by the Romans and Visigoths in 451 at Châlons-sur-Marne in France.
Contemporary Examples

Ryan is devoted to Attila, his battle-scarred and loyal war dog.
Isabel Allende’s Controversial New Thriller Jane Ciabattari February 22, 2014

He might have elicited a smile rather than a cringe had he gone to that reliable standby, “to the right of Attila the Hun.”
Analyzing the Political Humor of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney Mark Katz February 14, 2012

Historical Examples

I have already alluded to the divinity which in the imagination of the Huns encircled the hideous form of Attila.
Historical Sketches, Volume I (of 3) John Henry Newman

But who are the Hungarians—descendants of Attila and his people?
The Romany Rye George Borrow

Michiella stalks close around the rank singers like an enraged daughter of Attila.
Vittoria, Complete George Meredith

I believe I set some store by the fact that the collar of my Attila was velvet.
Debts of Honor Maurus Jkai

Nothing brings before us more vividly the terrible character of Attila than this, that he terrified the Goths themselves.
Historical Sketches, Volume I (of 3) John Henry Newman

The Gothic king had lost his life, but Attila had lost the victory.
Theodoric the Goth Thomas Hodgkin

It would have been wholly inept and spiritless to transfer this from Gunnar to Attila.
Epic and Romance W. P. Ker

With Attila’s death the might of the Hunnish Empire was broken.
Theodoric the Goth Thomas Hodgkin

noun
?406–453 ad, king of the Huns, who devastated much of the Roman Empire, invaded Gaul in 451 ad, but was defeated by the Romans and Visigoths at Châlons-sur-Marne