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janissary definition

jan·is·sary (jan′i ser′ē)

noun pl. janissaries -·sar′·ies

  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

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

Also janizary jan′i·zar′y (-zer′ē)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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