spahi
Meanings
noun
- An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
- A soldier in a mainly Arab-recruited cavalry (originally horse, later light armored) regiment in French colonial service in (former/ in name still) Ottoman North African provinces.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”) (> sepoy), from سِپَاه (sipāh, “army”). Doublet of sepoy and sipahi.
Related words
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