Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mameluke
Mam′e-luke
,Noun.
[F.
mamelouk
, cf. Sp. mameluco
, It. mammalucco
; all fr. Ar. mamlūk
a purchased slave or captive; lit., possessed or in one’s power, p. p. of malaka
to possesses.] One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Muslimism, who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by
Mehemet Ali
in 1811.