Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.
- noun An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun history An
Ottoman (Turkish empire)cavalryman , especially as recruited under a land-based system. - noun 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
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The butcher, who was an ex-'spahi ', declared that he was a deserter.
Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant Guy de Maupassant 1871
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The butcher, who was an ex-'spahi ', declared that he was a deserter.
Original Short Stories — Volume 08 Guy de Maupassant 1871
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She countered with another unconventional move: she married a native spahi.
Roughing It Annan, Gabriele 1988
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Finally, one spahi leveled a great lance at Lubonski's gut, rode forward with speed and pierced him through, knocking him from his horse and break - ing his neck bones.
Poland Michener, James 1983
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We venture to visit the sheikh, assured by our spahi guides that we shall be welcome.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 25, April, 1873 Various
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As I very seldom receive visits, and my friend George, the spahi, always comes on foot, I thought it must be my notary coming to stir me up about some business matters; he had been reproaching me the last fortnight for neglecting them.
French and Oriental Love in a Harem Mario Uchard
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I have already told you about young Morand, the spahi, and his cousin Geneviève.
French and Oriental Love in a Harem Mario Uchard
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Adieu, our spahi guides, like figures from _Lalla Rookh!
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 27, June, 1873 Various
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But the excellent spahi, whom my letter from head-quarters had considerably impressed, busied himself meanwhile on my behalf, and at seven in the morning a springless, open, two-wheeled Arab cart, drawn by a moth-eaten old mule, was ready for my conveyance to Gafsa.
Fountains in the Sand Rambles Among the Oases of Tunisia Norman Douglas 1910
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I then produced a letter from the Resident of the Republic in Tunis, recommending me to all the _bureaux indigènes_ of the country, my translation of it being confirmed and even improved upon, at the expense of veracity, by a spahi (native cavalryman) who happened to be present, and threatened the man with the torments of the damned if he failed to comply with the desires of his government.
Fountains in the Sand Rambles Among the Oases of Tunisia Norman Douglas 1910
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