Young Turk

noun

1. a member of a Turkish reformist and nationalist party that was founded in the latter part of the 19th century and was the dominant political party in Turkey in the period 1908–18.
2. an insurgent in a political party, especially one belonging to a group or faction that supports liberal or progressive policies:

   The leadership of the party passed from the cautious old-line conservatives to the zealous Young Turks.

3. Also young Turk, young turk. any person aggressively or impatiently advocating reform within an organization.

Young Turk

noun

1. a progressive, revolutionary, or rebellious member of an organization, political party, etc, esp one agitating for radical reform
2. a member of an abortive reform movement in the Ottoman Empire, originally made up of exiles in W Europe who advocated liberal reforms. The movement fell under the domination of young Turkish army officers of a nationalist bent, who wielded great influence in the government between 1908 and 1918

Young Turk

1. An insurgent person trying to take control of a situation or organization by force or political maneuver. The term originated from the mostly young Turkish officers who overthrew Ottoman rulers after World War I .

Word History and Origins

Origin of Young Turk¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The coming of the Young Turk has completely changed the aspect of Turkish stamps.

From Project Gutenberg

Apart from the vulgar bribes which affected the Young Turk politicians there were other motives to move the populace.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came the troublous times of strife caused by successive Young Turk cabinets.

From Project Gutenberg

He was not the man, we may be sure, to be funny with a Young Turk, or to crack needless jokes with a recalcitrant Khedive.

From Project Gutenberg

The text of the scheme is to be found in the defined policy of the Young Turk party as set forth in their Congress of 1911.

From Project Gutenberg