Hoffmann n 1: Austrian architect known for his use of rectilinear units (1870-1956) [syn: {Josef Hoffmann}] 2: German chemist (1818-1892) [syn: {August Wilhelm von Hoffmann}] 3: United States chemist (born in Poland) who used quantum mechanics to understand chemical reactions (born in 1937) [syn: {Roald Hoffmann}] 4: German writer of fantastic tales (1776-1822) [syn: {E. T. A. Hoffmann}, {Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann}, {Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann}]