fusilier

or fu·si·leer

[fyoo-zuh-leer]

noun

a member of a British regiment formerly armed with fusils.

Nearby words

Origin of fusilier

From French, dating back to 1670–80; see origin at fusil¹, -ier²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fusilier

All ranks in the two Fusilier companies seemed to vie with each other in deeds of valour.
A Soldier's Experience or A Voice from the Ranks: Showing the Cost of War in Blood and Treasure|Timothy Gowing
They put back, and passing to leeward of the Fusilier, strike the flag half-mast high, as a sign that the boat is to join them.
Storm Warriors|John Gilmore
The conduct of the Fusilier Brigade on this field was the admiration of both friend and foe.
A Soldier's Experience or A Voice from the Ranks: Showing the Cost of War in Blood and Treasure|Timothy Gowing
The two Fusilier Regiments seemed to vie with each other in performing deeds of valor.
A Soldier's Experience or A Voice from the Ranks: Showing the Cost of War in Blood and Treasure|Timothy Gowing

One of the killed was a woman whose son was a Dublin Fusilier.
John Redmond's Last Years|Stephen Gwynn

British Dictionary definitions for fusilier

fusilier

noun

(formerly) an infantryman armed with a light musket

Also: fusileer

a soldier, esp a private, serving in any of certain British or other infantry regiments
(pl; cap. when part of a name)the Royal Welch Fusiliers

Word Origin for fusilier

C17: from French; see fusil 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fusilier

fusilier

1670s, "soldier armed with a musket," from French fusilier, from Old French fusil "musket," earlier "steel for a tinderbox," from Vulgar Latin *focilis (petra) "(stone) producing fire," from Latin focus "hearth," in Vulgar Latin "fire" (see focus (n.)). Retained by certain regiments of the British army that were formerly armed with fusils.