English

Noun

spahi ‎(plural spahis)

1. (historical) An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
   • 2001, Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red, tr. Erdağ M Göknar

     I hear that the great Sadiki Bey illustrated a copy of Strange Creatures, commissioned by an Uzbek spahi cavalryman, for only forty gold pieces.

2. (historical) 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

Translations

Anagrams

• aphis
• apish
• Saiph

Dutch

Pronunciation

Noun

spahi m ‎(plural spahi's, diminutive spahitje n)

1. A spahi

Related terms

• sepoy m

French

Etymology

From Turkish sipahi, from Persian سپاهی ‎(sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”), from سپاه ‎(sipāh, “army”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /spai/

Noun

spahi m ‎(plural spahis)

1. A spahi

Related terms

• cipaye m