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.
Depicting scenes of after-hours horseplay—one Zouave bounds around camp on a pair stilts—they capture the innocence of that early moment in the war.
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
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
To enliven its conventions, the A. F. of L. does not put on Zouave parades or ladies' auxiliary bridge tournaments.
From Time Magazine Archive
But Vincent is not satisfied with this or his other Zouave paintings.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
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