Janissary definitions

-zĕr'ē
A soldier (orig. a slave) in the Turkish sultan's guard, established in the 14th cent. and abolished in 1826
noun
27
1
Any Turkish soldier.
noun
24
0
Any very loyal or submissive follower or supporter.
noun
21
0
A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.
noun
19
1
A soldier in an elite Turkish guard organized in the 1300s and abolished in 1826.
noun
16
0
An elite, highly loyal supporter.
noun
0
0
noun
0
0

Origin of janissary

French janissaire from Old French jehanicere from Old Italian giannizero from Ottoman Turkish yanī cheri new army yanī new cheri special troops (from Middle Persian chērīh bravery, victory) (from chēr brave, victorious)