1 janissaries | Definition of janissaries
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janissary

noun
jan·​is·​sary | \ ˈja-nÉ™-ËŒser-Ä“ How to pronounce janissary (audio) , -ËŒzer-\
variants: or less commonly janizary
plural janissaries also janizaries

Definition of janissary

1 often capitalized : a soldier of an elite corps of Turkish troops organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826
2 : a member of a group of loyal or subservient troops, officials, or supporters

First Known Use of janissary

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for janissary

Italian gianizzero, from Turkish yeniçeri, from yeni new + çeri soldier

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More from Merriam-Webster on janissary

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with janissary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about janissary

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