spahi

or spa·hee

[ spah-hee ]

noun

, plural spa·his.

1. one of a body of Algerian cavalry in the French service.
2. (formerly) a cavalryman in the Turkish army.

spahi

/ ˈspɑːiː; ˈspɑːhiː /

noun

1. (formerly) an irregular cavalryman in the Turkish armed forces
2. a member of a body of native Algerian cavalrymen in the French armed forces: disbanded after Algerian independence

Word History and Origins

Origin of spahi¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Middle French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī; sepoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of spahi¹

C16: from Old French, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian sipāhī soldier; see sepoy

Example Sentences

My spahi, like me, was in range of the shadow, while the Arab lay snoring ten paces off in the full light of the moon.

From Project Gutenberg

I expressly forbade the spahi to wake up the Arab, as I was persuaded that when the action was over he would be proud of having served as a bait even without knowing it.

From Project Gutenberg

I was accompanied by a native of the country and my spahi, one carrying my carbine, the other my old gun.

From Project Gutenberg

Weary after a ride of several hours over a very irregular country, and not expecting any chance that night, I enjoined my spahi to keep a good watch, and lay down.

From Project Gutenberg

Loti was not pleased, and to make amends I spoke about those books of his which I preferred, the "Roman d'un Spahi," "Mon Fr�re Yves," and "Propos d'Exil."

From Project Gutenberg