Definitions for janissaryˈdʒæn əˌsɛr i; -ˌzɛr i

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

jan•is•sar•yˈdʒæn əˌsɛr i; -ˌzɛr i(n.)(pl.)-sar•ies also -zar•ies.

also jan•i•zar•y

  1. (often cap.) a member of an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826.

    Category: Western History, Military

  2. a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.

Origin of janissary:

1520–30; < F janissaire < It gian(n)izzero < Turkish yeniçeri=yeni new +çeri soldiery, militia

Princeton's WordNet

  1. janissary(noun)

    a loyal supporter

    "every politician has a following of janissaries"

  2. Janissary(noun)

    a Turkish soldier

Wiktionary

  1. janissary(Noun)

    An elite, highly loyal supporter.

  2. janissary(Noun)

    A soldier in a former elite Turkish guard.

  3. Origin: From janissaire, from gianizzero, from yeniçeri, from yeni + çeri.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Janissary(noun)

    see Janizary


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