spahi

or spa·hee

[ spah-hee ]

/ ˈspɑ hi /

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noun, plural spa·his.

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

(formerly) a cavalryman in the Turkish army.

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Origin of spahi

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

Words nearby spahi

spaghettini, spaghetti squash, spaghetti strap, spaghetti western, spagyric, spahi, Spahn, Spain, spake, Spalato, spaldeen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spahi in a sentence

As soon as Mole was mounted, the chief spahi gave the word, and the imposing cavalcade set off at a quick trot.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
Already Banfy was fighting with the eighth spahi who, like all the rest, gave way before his extraordinary dexterity.
The Golden Age in Transylvania|Mr Jkai
Instead of a single blanket, the Spahi trooper has a half a dozen variegated saddle-cloths, very spectacular, if not useful.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets|Francis Miltoun
No great function, local or otherwise, is complete without a fantasia, and here the Spahi is at his uncontrolled best.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets|Francis Miltoun

The fantasia is the classic diversion and showing-off pace of Algerias Spahi cavalry.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets|Francis Miltoun

British Dictionary definitions for spahi

spahi

spahee

/ (ˈspɑːhiː, ˈspɑːiː) /

noun plural -his or -hees

(formerly) an irregular cavalryman in the Turkish armed forces

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

Word Origin for spahi

C16: from Old French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī soldier; see sepoy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012