hussar

[ hoo-zahr ]

noun

1. (originally) one of a body of Hungarian light cavalry formed during the 15th century.
2. a member of a class of similar troops, usually with striking or flamboyant uniforms, in European armies.

hussar

/ hʊˈzɑː /

noun

1. 1. a member of any of various light cavalry regiments in European armies, renowned for their elegant dress
   2. ( pl; cap when part of a name )

      the Queen's own Hussars

2. a Hungarian horseman of the 15th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of hussar¹

1525–35; < Hungarian huszár < Serbo-Croatian hȕsār brigand, pirate < Medieval Latin cursārius corsair

Word History and Origins

Origin of hussar¹

C15: from Hungarian huszár hussar, formerly freebooter, from Old Serbian husar, from Old Italian corsaro corsair

Example Sentences

Vas, the local activist, acknowledged that the lake has dried out before, noting that in 1863 the Hungarian hussars trained with their horses in the lake bed.

From Seattle Times

Within a few hours, a conservative politician eyeing the presidency tweeted her support for Mr. Lemaire and “all those hussars on the front line in the fight for the Republic.”

From New York Times

All those ethnic and class tensions simmering under the surface while shiny-booted hussars parade through sunlit streets.

From New York Times

All this is chorally amplified, as in a Gilbert and Sullivan comedy; all the village girls forget their local sweethearts in favor of the military men until the hussars move on.

From New York Times

Its companions are all around us - white pelicans and black storks like hussars with their red bills climb the thermals, swallows and martins volley into the wind.

From BBC