janissary
/ˈdʒanɪzəɹi/
Etymology
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From Italian giannizzaro, possibly via French janissaire or Spanish jenízaro, from Ottoman Turkish یڭیچری (yeniçeri), from یڭی (yeni, “new”) + چری (çeri, “soldier”). Compare Dutch janitsaar, German Janitschar. The word is attested from the early 16th century in English; the janissaries themselves date from the 14th century.
janissary means an infantry soldier, often of European Christian background from the Balkans as well as Eastern Europe and forcibly converted to Islam, in a former elite Turkish (Ottoman) guard (disbanded in 1826). Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 85 out of 100.
Why this word is great
JANISSARY — [Noun] A member of the elite infantry corps that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops, created through the *devşirme* system of conscripting Christian youths, converting them to Islam, and forging them into instruments of unwavering loyalty. From Ottoman Turkish یڭیچری (yeniçeri), from یڭی (yeni, "new") + چری (çeri, "soldier"), literally "new soldier" or "new troop." Unlike a mamluk, a slave soldier of often aristocratic origin who could ascend to rule a sultanate, or a praetorian, a Roman guardsman synonymous with imperial betrayal, the janissary was engineered to be the Sultan's own—a human weapon severed from its past. He is the sharp report of a matchlock in disciplined volley, the stark white of a felt *börk* cap, the silent study in a barracks of men who shared no mother tongue but the language of drill. A living paradox of forged belonging, he was the empire's perfect instrument, until he learned to bite the hand that forged him.
noun
- An infantry soldier, often of European Christian background from the Balkans as well as Eastern Europe and forcibly converted to Islam, in a former elite Turkish (Ottoman) guard (disbanded in 1826).“My Lord the great Commander of the worlde,
Besides fifteene contributory kings,
Hath now in armes ten thouſand Ianiſaries,
Mounted on luſty Mauritanian Steeds, […]”
- An infantry soldier, often of European Christian background from the Balkans as well as Eastern Europe and forcibly converted to Islam, in a former elite Turkish (Ottoman) guard (disbanded in 1826).; Any Turkish soldier, particularly one escorting a traveller.
- An elite, highly loyal supporter.“Here is a Proclamation for a Prince: that proclaims him in whoſe name it is emitted [James II of England], to be the greateſt Tyrant that ever lived in the world, and their Revolt who have diſowned him to be the juſteſt that ever was. For herein that Monſter of Prerogative is […] advanced […] to claim abſolute obedience, without reſerve of Conſcience, Religion, Honour, or Reaſon; not only that whi”