bersagliere

[ber-suhl-yair-ee, ber-sah-lye-re]

noun

plural

bersaglieri 

1. one of a class of riflemen or sharpshooters in the Italian army.

bersagliere

/ ˌbɛəsɑːˈljɛərɪ /

noun

1. a member of a rifle regiment in the Italian Army

Word History and Origins

Origin of bersagliere¹

1860–65; < Italian: literally, marksman, equivalent to bersagl ( io ) target (< Old French bersail; bers ( er ) to hunt (perhaps < Germanic; compare Middle High German birsen, German birschen, pirschen to hunt) + -ail noun suffix) + -iere -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of bersagliere¹

C19: from Italian, from bersaglio target, from Old French bersail , from berser to fire at

Example Sentences

The feathered hat of an Italian Bersagliere is blown by a strong wind as he stands at attention before the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, in Trieste, Italy.

Read more on BBC

With the opening of this year's feast, the first units of the old Trastevere Bersagliere regiment came home, ran heroically through the twisting streets blowing bugles while exuberant Trasteverini welcomed them with flowers, Frascati and frenzied cheers.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

It's but a few weeks back a Sardinian staff-officer, coming to our head-quarters on business, asked if the celebrated 'Bersagliere' was there,—so they call riflemen,—and desired to see him; and, better than that, though he didn't know Jack's name, none doubted who was meant, but Jack Kellett was sent for on the instant.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

A Bersagliere prisoner who recognised the King, at a sign from him gave the required testimony, and he was allowed to pass.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

An Austrian corporal fell, mortally wounded by a Bersagliere whom he conjured, in Italian, to listen to what he had got to say.

Read more on Project Gutenberg