spahi
Americannoun
plural
spahis-
one of a body of Algerian cavalry in the French service.
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(formerly) a cavalryman in the Turkish army.
noun
-
(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
Etymology
Origin of spahi
First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī; cf. sepoy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Weary after a ride of several hours over a very irregular country, and not expecting any chance that night, I enjoined my spahi to keep a good watch, and lay down.
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
I was accompanied by a native of the country and my spahi, one carrying my carbine, the other my old gun.
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
Well, it's too early for bed, the spahi soldiers haven't sounded the retreat on their bugles, yet.
From Letters from my Windmill by Daudet, Alphonse
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
