pandour

[ pan-door ]

noun

1. History/Historical. a member of a local militia in Croatia, formed as a regiment in the Austrian army in the 18th century and noted for its ruthlessness and cruelty.
2. a brutal, marauding soldier.

pandour

/ ˈpændʊə /

noun

1. one of an 18th-century force of Croatian soldiers in the Austrian service, notorious for their brutality

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandour¹

1740–50; < French pandour ( e ) ≪ Serbo-Croatian pàndūr community or city policeman, pandour, probably < Hungarian pandúr < Slavic *pǫdarĭ (> Serbo-Croatian pùdār one who guards a vineyard), derivative of *pǫditi to drive off, frighten; the Serbo-Croatian variant bàndūr (17th century) may result from crossing with Medieval Latin banderia or Italian bandiera troop, literally, banner

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandour¹

C18: via French from Hungarian pandur, from Croat: guard, probably from Medieval Latin banderius summoner, from bannum ban ¹

Example Sentences

You're as hard as the Poles' "whiskered pandour."

From Project Gutenberg

Bancaleone had left the room; but an attendant opened the door, saying that a Pandour had brought a despatch for his Majesty.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pandour entered, carrying a portefeuille in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

After a few tours d’addresse, which showed his skill in disguise, the Count threw off the Pandour, and explained the mystifications of Presburg.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pandour patrol were on the spot on the first alarm; but the whole affair was so quickly over, that all their activity was utterly useless.

From Project Gutenberg