Zouave
Americannoun
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(sometimes lowercase) one of a former body of infantry in the French army, composed originally of Algerians, distinguished for their dash, hardiness, and picturesque uniform.
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a member of any body of soldiers adopting a similar dress and drill, especially a soldier serving in any of certain volunteer regiments in the American Civil War.
noun
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(formerly) a member of a body of French infantry composed of Algerian recruits noted for their dash, hardiness, and colourful uniforms
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a member of any body of soldiers wearing a similar uniform or otherwise modelled on the French Zouaves, esp a volunteer in such a unit of the Union Army in the American Civil War
Etymology
Origin of Zouave
1820–30; < French < Arabic zawāwah, probably < Berber igowawen, the name of a Berber group
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.
When he’d taken command of the 11th Indiana volunteers, he’d resolved to train and outfit his men in the manner of the Zouave.
From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013
He is wearing the uniform of the Zouave, elite units of the French Army that borrowed their tactics and uniform style from Algerian fighters.
From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013
A Zouave who sustained minor injuries after being shot in the belt buckle represented the lone Union casualty.
From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013
Civil War "Zouave" to the M16, or tried to knock out miniature moving tanks with a fixed "Dragon" antitank missile launcher, the weapon that will replace the present 90-mm. recoilless rifle.
From Time Magazine Archive
He also sends him a drawing of a Zouave, a French soldier, which amazes Bernard.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
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.
