askari

noun

as·​ka·​ri
ˈaskərē;
əˈskärē,
aˈs-
plural askaris or askari
1
: a native soldier especially of eastern Africa in the service of a European power
2
: a native police officer or guard of eastern Africa

Word History

Etymology

Arabic ʽaskarī

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of askari was in 1835

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Cite this Entry

“Askari.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/askari. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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