bashi-bazouk

noun

bashi-ba·​zouk
ˌbashēbəˈzük
plural -s
1
a
: a member of an irregular ill-disciplined auxiliary of the Ottoman Empire
b
: irregular
2
: a turbulent ill-disciplined person

Word History

Etymology

Turkish başı bozuk irregular soldier, from baş head, leader + bozuk depraved, corrupt

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Dictionary Entries Near bashi-bazouk

bashful bladder

bashi-bazouk

Bashi Channel

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Cite this Entry

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

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