askari

American  

[as-kuh-ree] / ˈæs kə ri /

noun

plural

askaris, askari

1. an African police officer or soldier, especially one serving a colonial administration.

---

askari British  

/ asˈkaːri /

noun

1. (in East Africa) a soldier or policeman

---

Etymology

Origin of askari

First recorded in 1805–10; from Swahili, from Arabic ʿaskarī “soldier,” equivalent to ʿaskar “army” (from Persian lashkar) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin); lascar

Example Sentences

But some time after their last meeting, in October 1986, Ntehelang went from ANC guerrilla to askari.

From The Guardian • Jun. 6, 2015

The farm was an administrative headquarters and askari dormitory, equipped with a canteen, plenty of meat, a lovely view.

From The Guardian • Jun. 6, 2015

Flat-footed askari scouts went padding in from their posts and the final advance on Addis Ababa started.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Swahili word askari used to mean “spear bearer.”

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

The askari sat on a rock nearby, bouncing the machine gun on his knees, looking bored.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston