- a soldier (orig. a slave) in the Turkish sultan's guard, established in the 14th cent. and abolished in 1826
- any Turkish soldier
- any very loyal or submissive follower or supporter
Origin of janissaryFrench janissaire from Italian giannizzero from Turkish yenicheri, literally , new troops from yeñi, new + cheri, soldiery
- A soldier of the Ottoman Empire in an elite guard organized in the 1300s and abolished in 1826.
- A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.
Origin of janissaryMiddle French jehanicere, janissaire from Old Italian giannizero from Ottoman Turkish yeñiçeri new army, Janissary corps yañı new ( from Old Turkic yaŋı ) çeri special troops ( from Old Turkic çērig phalanx, order of battle )