janissaries

noun pl. janissaries

1. a soldier (orig. a slave) in the Turkish sultan's guard, established in the 14th cent. and abolished in 1826
2. any Turkish soldier
3. any very loyal or submissive follower or supporter

Origin: Fr janissaire < It giannizzero < Turk yenicheri, lit., new troops < yeñi, new + cheri, soldiery