1. Plural of janissary; members of an elite military unit of the Ottoman Empire, originally formed in the 14th century.
Usage: historical; often capitalized

Examples

• The janisaries were known for their loyalty to the Ottoman sultan.
• The sultan's janisaries served as both soldiers and palace guards.
• Janisaries were recruited from Christian boys and converted to Islam.
• The corps of janisaries was disbanded in the 19th century.
• Historical accounts describe the janisaries as highly disciplined warriors.