The actual term for the
definition below is
ronin. Rurouni is a word created by Nobuhiro Watsuki for the
manga-turned-anime Rurouni Kenshin.
The novel, The Story of the 47 Ronin, is
based upon the deeds of 47 ronin (masterless
samurai) otherwise known as the ex-samurai of Ako, at the beginning of the 16th century.
It is a
common error to equate rurouni to ronin.