janissary
(often initial capital letter) a member of an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826 after it revolted against the Sultan.
(often initial capital letter) any soldier in the Turkish army.
a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.
Origin of janissary
1- Also jan·i·zar·y [jan-uh-zer-ee]. /ˈdʒæn əˌzɛr i/.
Words Nearby janissary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use janissary in a sentence
Before any purchases were made, however, the janissary moved on, and Foster had to follow.
The Middy and the Moors | R.M. BallantyneAbout two hours later the door was again opened, and a man in the uniform of a janissary entered.
The Middy and the Moors | R.M. BallantyneComing down the hill into the plain, we were there met by a janissary from the convent, sent to conduct us into the city.
Early Travels in Palestine | Arculf et al.He was attended by a janissary attached to the English Embassy and by a cicerone: he appeared to be about twenty-two.
My Recollections of Lord Byron | Teresa GuiccioliFormerly, when a janissary was condemned to die, he was confined in this castle.
British Dictionary definitions for janissary
janizary (ˈdʒænɪzərɪ)
/ (ˈdʒænɪsərɪ) /
an infantryman in the Turkish army, originally a member of the sovereign's personal guard, from the 14th to the early 19th century
Origin of janissary
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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