janissary

[ jan-uh-ser-ee ]
/ ˈdʒæn əˌsɛr i /

noun, plural jan·is·sar·ies.

(often initial capital letter) a member of an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826 after it revolted against the Sultan.
(often initial capital letter) any soldier in the Turkish army.
a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.
Also jan·i·zar·y [jan-uh-zer-ee] /ˈdʒæn əˌzɛr i/.

Origin of janissary

1520–30; < French janissaire < Italian gian(n)izzero < Turkish yeniçeri, equivalent to yeni new + çeri soldiery, militia

Words nearby janissary

janiculum, janie, janiform, janina, janine, janissary, janissary music, janitor, janitress, janjaweed, jannings

Example sentences from the Web for janissary

British Dictionary definitions for janissary

janissary

janizary (ˈdʒænɪzərɪ)

/ (ˈdʒænɪsərɪ) /

noun plural -saries or -zaries

an infantryman in the Turkish army, originally a member of the sovereign's personal guard, from the 14th to the early 19th century

Word Origin for janissary

C16: from French janissaire, from Italian giannizzero, from Turkish yeniçeri, from yeni new + çeri soldiery