janissary
[ jan-uh-ser-ee ]
/ ˈdʒæn əˌsɛr i /
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noun, plural jan·is·sar·ies.
(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.
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Also jan·i·zar·y [jan-uh-zer-ee]. /ˈdʒæn əˌzɛr i/.
Origin of janissary
1520–30; <French janissaire<Italian gian(n)izzero<Turkish yeniçeri, equivalent to yeni new + çeri soldiery, militia
Words nearby janissary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for janissary
janissary
janizary (ˈdʒænɪzərɪ)
/ (ˈdʒænɪsərɪ) /
noun plural -saries or -zaries
an infantryman in the Turkish army, originally a member of the sovereign's personal guard, from the 14th to the early 19th century
Word Origin for janissary
C16: from French janissaire, from Italian giannizzero, from Turkish yeniçeri, from yeni new + çeri soldiery
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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