samurai

[ sam-oo-rahy ]

noun

, Japanese History.

, plural sam·u·rai.

1. a member of the hereditary warrior class in feudal Japan.
2. a retainer of a daimyo.

samurai

/ ˈsæmʊˌraɪ; ˈsæmjʊ- /

noun

1. the Japanese warrior caste that provided the administrative and fighting aristocracy from the 11th to the 19th centuries
2. a member of this aristocracy

Word History and Origins

Origin of samurai¹

1720–30; < Japanese, earlier samurafi to serve, equivalent to sa- prefix + morafi watchfully wait (frequentative of mor- to guard)

Word History and Origins

Origin of samurai¹

C19: from Japanese

Example Sentences

I have a passion for Japan, and samurais who put intention in pouring the tea and drawing the sword — which is the opposite of modern civilization.

From Salon

The master-servant relationship from the samurai period has transitioned into the relationship between founding families and their employees, and "historically commoners never fought over the top job".

From BBC

“Samurai Delicatessen”: I loved seeing John Belushi do anything, but the samurai bits were always good, and “Samurai Delicatessen” was the topper for me.

From Los Angeles Times

The government would also pass a new law to ban the sale of ninja and samurai swords, she said.

From BBC

But two sisters, descendants of a disgraced samurai clan, want that box too, and the imperial secret placed within it by Emperor Meiji.

From Los Angeles Times