spahi

[ spah-hee ]

/ ˈspɑ hi /

one of a body of native Algerian cavalry in the French service.

(formerly) a cavalryman in the Turkish army.

Origin of spahi

1555–65; < Middle French < Turkish sipahi < Persian sipāhī. Cf. sepoy

They quarreled; the Spahi drew first; and then, pouf et passe!

Under Two Flags |Ouida [Louise de la Ramee]
I therefore suggested to the Spahi that he should remain in the Caf Maure and drink a cup of coffee at my expense.

The Desert Drum |Robert Hichens
I have already told you about young Morand, the spahi, and his cousin Geneviève.

French and Oriental Love in a Harem |Mario Uchard
The rising wind blew up the skirts of the Spahi's scarlet robe.

The Desert Drum |Robert Hichens

No great function, local or otherwise, is complete without a fantasia, and here the Spahi is at his uncontrolled best.

In the Land of Mosques & Minarets |Francis Miltoun

spahi

/ (ˈspɑːhiː, ˈspɑːiː) /

(formerly) an irregular cavalryman in the Turkish armed forces

a member of a body of native Algerian cavalrymen in the French armed forces: disbanded after Algerian independence

C16: from Old French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī soldier; see sepoy