Spahi

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈspɑːhiː/

Origin

From French spahi, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian سپاهی (sepâhi, "horseman, soldier") (>

English sepoy), from سپاه (sepâh, "army").

Full definition of spahi

Noun

1. (history) An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
• 2001, Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red, tr. ErdaÄŸ M GöknarI hear that the great Sadiki Bey illustrated a copy of Strange Creatures, commissioned by an Uzbek spahi cavalryman, for only forty gold pieces.
2. (history) 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

Related terms

• sepoy

Anagrams

• aphis
• apish
• Saiph