Mameluke

[ mam-uh-look ]

noun

1. a member of a military class, originally composed of slaves, that seized control of the Egyptian sultanate in 1250, ruled until 1517, and remained powerful until massacred or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.
2. mameluke. Archaic. (in Muslim countries) a slave.

Mameluke

/ ˈmæmluːk; ˈmæməˌluːk /

noun

1. a member of a military class, originally of Turkish slaves, ruling in Egypt from about 1250 to 1517 and remaining powerful until crushed in 1811
2. (in Muslim countries) a slave

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mameluke¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Arabic mamlūk literally, “slave,” noun use of past participle of malaka “to possess”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mameluke¹

C16: via French, ultimately from Arabic mamlūk slave, from malaka to possess

Example Sentences

From his closet, he unsheathed the Mameluke sword which he had bought the same day he was commissioned a Marine officer.

From Literature

The bayonet and the Mameluke sword lay on the floor by the couch.

From Literature

Unhooking the Mameluke sword, Bull threw it on the desk in front of Captain Bledsoe who was the junior officer on duty with Bull.

From Literature

The night would go on, the Mameluke sword would cut the cake, the general would speak, and tradition would be served.

From Literature

Someone shot it off in a moment of idle desecration—some say it was Mameluke Turks, others, Napoleonic soldiers.

From Literature