pandour

[pan-door]

noun

1. History/Historical.,  a member of a local militia in Croatia, formed as a regiment in the Austrian army in the 18th century and noted for its ruthlessness and cruelty.

2. a brutal, marauding soldier.

pandour

/ ˈpændʊə /

noun

1. one of an 18th-century force of Croatian soldiers in the Austrian service, notorious for their brutality

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandour¹

1740–50; < French pandour ( e ) ≪ Serbo-Croatian pàndūr community or city policeman, pandour, probably < Hungarian pandúr < Slavic *pǫdarĭ (> Serbo-Croatian pùdār one who guards a vineyard), derivative of *pǫditi to drive off, frighten; the Serbo-Croatian variant bàndūr (17th century) may result from crossing with Medieval Latin banderia or Italian bandiera troop, literally, banner

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandour¹

C18: via French from Hungarian pandur, from Croat: guard, probably from Medieval Latin banderius summoner, from bannum _ban ¹

Example Sentences

You're as hard as the Poles' "whiskered pandour."

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Bancaleone had left the room; but an attendant opened the door, saying that a Pandour had brought a despatch for his Majesty.

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The Pandour entered, carrying a portefeuille in his hand.

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After a few tours d’addresse, which showed his skill in disguise, the Count threw off the Pandour, and explained the mystifications of Presburg.

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The Pandour patrol were on the spot on the first alarm; but the whole affair was so quickly over, that all their activity was utterly useless.

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