janissary

[ jan-uh-ser-ee ]

noun

, plural jan·is·sar·ies.

1. (often initial capital letter) a member of an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826 after it revolted against the Sultan.
2. (often initial capital letter) any soldier in the Turkish army.
3. a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.

janissary

/ ˈdʒænɪsərɪ; ˈdʒænɪzərɪ /

noun

1. an infantryman in the Turkish army, originally a member of the sovereign's personal guard, from the 14th to the early 19th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of janissary¹

1520–30; < French janissaire < Italian gian ( n ) izzero < Turkish yeniçeri, equivalent to yeni new + çeri soldiery, militia

Word History and Origins

Origin of janissary¹

C16: from French janissaire, from Italian giannizzero, from Turkish yeniçeri, from yeni new + çeri soldiery

Example Sentences

To him, Hunt was the janissary of a dead vernacular.

From Literature

Those working in Zildjian’s shop produced cymbals for the mehter — monumental ensembles with double reeds, horns, drums and other metallic percussion that belonged to the empire’s elite janissary military corps.

From New York Times

Even mature, erudite readers might have to pretend to know the meaning of janissary.

From The Guardian

Those dancing janissaries, and other musical spirits, need space to flourish.

From Washington Post

It could be that Mira Nair is playing on the significance of the word "janissary" in the history of western imperialism and south Asia.

From The Guardian