Zouave

American  

[zoo-ahv, zwahv] / zuˈɑv, zwɑv /

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) one of a former body of infantry in the French army, composed originally of Algerians, distinguished for their dash, hardiness, and picturesque uniform.

2. a member of any body of soldiers adopting a similar dress and drill, especially a soldier serving in any of certain volunteer regiments in the American Civil War.

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Zouave British  

/ zwɑːv, zuːˈɑːv /

noun

1. (formerly) a member of a body of French infantry composed of Algerian recruits noted for their dash, hardiness, and colourful uniforms

2. a member of any body of soldiers wearing a similar uniform or otherwise modelled on the French Zouaves, esp a volunteer in such a unit of the Union Army in the American Civil War

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Etymology

Origin of Zouave

1820–30; < French < Arabic zawāwah, probably < Berber igowawen, the name of a Berber group

Example Sentences

Depicting scenes of after-hours horseplay—one Zouave bounds around camp on a pair stilts—they capture the innocence of that early moment in the war.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013

He is wearing the uniform of the Zouave, elite units of the French Army that borrowed their tactics and uniform style from Algerian fighters.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013

A Zouave who sustained minor injuries after being shot in the belt buckle represented the lone Union casualty.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013

On the Cruiser Foch, M. Daladier proceeded to Algiers, where Arab chieftains and Zouave and Spahi detachments accompanied him to a monument for Algerian War dead.

From Time Magazine Archive

But Vincent is not satisfied with this or his other Zouave paintings.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman