fusilier

or fu·si·leer

[ fyoo-zuh-leer ]

noun
  1. a member of a British regiment formerly armed with fusils.

Origin of fusilier

1
From French, dating back to 1670–80; see origin at fusil1, -ier2

Words Nearby fusilier

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fusilier in a sentence

  • Two other dogs, Jappy and fusilier, had been previously killed, as neither was of any use as a puller.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • The man in his bed died while you was like that: a fusilier Guards man.

    Ravenshoe | Henry Kingsley
  • Become a fusilier—one of those that wear plumes on their hats?

    Plays--First Series | August Strindberg
  • He was brought in and proved to be an Inniskilling fusilier who had taken part in an attack some four or five weeks previously!

  • William Turner was elected the first fusilier Captain; the names of his successors are recorded elsewhere in this book.

British Dictionary definitions for fusilier

fusilier

/ (ˌfjuːzɪˈlɪə) /


noun
  1. (formerly) an infantryman armed with a light musket

  2. Also: fusileer

    • a soldier, esp a private, serving in any of certain British or other infantry regiments

    • (pl; cap. when part of a name): the Royal Welch Fusiliers

Origin of fusilier

1
C17: from French; see fusil 1

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