Zouave

[ zoo-ahv, zwahv ]

/ zuˈɑv, zwɑv /

noun

(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.

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.

Origin of Zouave

1820–30; < French < Arabic zawāwah, probably < Berber igowawen, the name of a Berber group

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for zouave

My Zouave had, unknown to me, left on an expedition to the city.
Soyer's Culinary Campaign|Alexis Soyer
The count opened the door and saw the Zouave and another strange looking person, lying like a ball of cord on the floor.
The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I (of 2)|Alexandre Dumas pre
In uttering the last word he gave an extra pull at the rope, which caused it to break, and bang went my Zouave flat upon his back.
Soyer's Culinary Campaign|Alexis Soyer
Well: perhaps he was a better man, even as he was, than as a Zouave.
At Last|Charles Kingsley

However, one of them sported a Zouave's chechia, the other an artilleryman's képi.
The Golden Triangle|Maurice Leblanc

British Dictionary definitions for zouave

Zouave

/ (zuːˈɑːv, zwɑːv) /

noun

(formerly) a member of a body of French infantry composed of Algerian recruits noted for their dash, hardiness, and colourful uniforms

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

Word Origin for Zouave

C19: from French, from Zwāwa, tribal name in Algeria

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