yvlog

Advertisement

Advertisement

janissary

[ jan-uh-ser-ee ]

noun

plural janissaries.
  1. (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.
  2. (often initial capital letter) any soldier in the Turkish army.
  3. a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.


janissary

/ ˈdʒænɪsərɪ; ˈdʒænɪzərɪ /

noun

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

yvlog History and Origins

Origin of janissary1

1520–30; < French janissaire < Italian gian ( n ) izzero < Turkish Ծç, equivalent to yeni new + ç soldiery, militia
Discover More

yvlog History and Origins

Origin of janissary1

C16: from French janissaire, from Italian giannizzero, from Turkish Ծç, from yeni new + ç soldiery
Discover More

Example Sentences

To him, Hunt was the janissary of a dead vernacular.

From

Those working in Zildjian’s shop produced cymbals for the mehter — monumental ensembles with double reeds, horns, drums and other metallic percussion that belonged to the empire’s elite janissary military corps.

From

Even mature, erudite readers might have to pretend to know the meaning of janissary.

From

Those dancing janissaries, and other musical spirits, need space to flourish.

From

It could be that Mira Nair is playing on the significance of the word "janissary" in the history of western imperialism and south Asia.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement