spahi

noun /ˈspɑːhiː/

1. An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.

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

   2001, Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red, tr. Erdağ M Göknar

2. 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.

   TARZAN’S first mission did not bid fair to be either exciting or vastly important. There was a certain lieutenant of spahis whom the government had reason to suspect of improper relations with a great European power.

Where it comes from

From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”) (> sepoy), from سِپَاه (sipāh, “army”). Doublet of sepoy and sipahi.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry spahi (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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