Janissary
/ˈdʒænɪsəri/noun
A member of the elite infantry corps of the former Ottoman Empire.
Did you know?Janissary ultimately comes from Ottoman Turkish yeniçeri, “new soldier,” itself from Persian roots used for the empire’s famously recruited elite troops.
Etymological Timeline
Persian
Persian
yāzīg / nēw
“New, fresh, newly made”
14th Century
Ottoman Turkish
yeniçeri
““New soldier,” the elite infantry of the Ottoman sultan”
15th Century
Turkish/Italian
giannizzero
“Italian form used for an Ottoman Janissary”
16th Century
French
janissaire
“A Janissary, especially in French historical writing”
Modern English
English
janissary
“A soldier of the Ottoman Janissary corps; later, figuratively, a blind supporter or agent”