spahi

American  

[spah-hee] / ˈspɑ hi /

Or spahee

noun

plural

spahis

1. one of a body of Algerian cavalry in the French service.

2. (formerly) a cavalryman in the Turkish army.

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spahi British  

/ ˈspɑːiː, ˈspɑːhiː /

noun

1. (formerly) an irregular cavalryman in the Turkish armed forces

2. a member of a body of native Algerian cavalrymen in the French armed forces: disbanded after Algerian independence

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Etymology

Origin of spahi

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī; sepoy

Example Sentences

Adieu, our spahi guides, like figures from Lalla Rookh!

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 27, June, 1873 by Various

As soon as Mole was mounted, the chief spahi gave the word, and the imposing cavalcade set off at a quick trot.

From Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks Book Number Fifteen in the Jack Harkaway Series by Hemyng, Bracebridge

We venture to visit the sheikh, assured by our spahi guides that we shall be welcome.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 25, April, 1873 by Various

"Will your horse stand, corporal?" he asked of the spahi.

From The Turquoise Cup, and, the Desert by Smith, Arthur Cosslett

I have already told you about young Morand, the spahi, and his cousin Geneviève.

From French and Oriental Love in a Harem by Avril, Paul