fedayee

[ fe-dah-yee ]

noun

, plural fe·da·yeen [fe-dah-, yeen].

1. a member of an Arab commando group operating especially against Israel.

fedayee

/ fəˈdɑːjiː /

noun

1. sometimes capital (in Arab states) a commando, esp one fighting against Israel

Word History and Origins

Origin of fedayee¹

1950–55; < dialectal Arabic fidāʾī (plural fidāʾīyīn ) one who sacrifices himself (especially for his country)

Word History and Origins

Origin of fedayee¹

from Arabic fidā'i one who risks his life in a cause, from fidā' redemption