giaour

American  

[jou-^uhr, jou-er] / ˈdʒaʊ ər, ˈdʒaʊ ər /

noun

Turkish.

1. an unbeliever; a non-Muslim, especially a Christian.

---

giaour British  

/ ˈdʒaʊə /

noun

1. a derogatory term for a non-Muslim, esp a Christian, used esp by the Turks

---

Etymology

Origin of giaour

1555–65; earlier gower, gour < Turkish gâvur < Persian gaur, variant of gabr Zoroastrian, non-Muslim; spelling giaour < French, with gi- representing Turk palatalized g, later taken as spelling for j

Example Sentences

Beneath the clattering iron's sound The caverned echoes wake around In lash for lash, and bound for bound; The foam that streaks the courser's side Seems gathered from the ocean-tide: Though weary waves are sunk to rest, There's none within his rider's breast; And though to-morrow's tempest lower, 'Tis calmer than thy heart, young Giaour!

From Project Gutenberg

The hour is past, the Giaour is gone; And did he fly or fall alone?

From Project Gutenberg

In these rooms "Corsair," "The Giaour," and "Bride of Abydos" were written, the latter in a single night and with one quill.

From Project Gutenberg

The Villa Diodati, a plain, quadrangular, three-storied mansion of moderate dimensions, standing on the shore a few miles from Geneva, was the handsome "Giaour's" first home after his separation from Lady Byron and his exile from England.

From Project Gutenberg

"The Giaour" and "The Corsair" were all the rage that year; and with the publicity with which she did everything she flung herself at the head of her soul's affinity; a famous person, half poet, half dandy, who was staying at Bowood.

From Project Gutenberg