Janissary vs. Janizary — What's the Difference?

A Janissary (Ottoman Turkish: یڭیچری, romanized: yeŋiçeri, [jeniˈtʃeɾi], lit. 'new soldier') was a member of the elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and the first modern standing army in Europe. The corps was most likely established under sultan Orhan (1324–1362), during the Viziership of Alaeddin.

A soldier of the Ottoman Empire in an elite guard organized in the 1300s and abolished in 1826.

A soldier of the Ottoman Empire in an elite guard organized in the 1300s and abolished in 1826.

A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.

A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.

Alternative spelling of janissary.

(historical) An infantry soldier, often of European Christian background from the Balkans as well as Eastern Europe and forcibly converted to Islam, in a former elite Turkish (Ottoman) guard (disbanded in 1826); (by extension) any Turkish soldier, particularly one escorting a traveller.

A soldier of a privileged military class, which formed the nucleus of the Turkish infantry, but was suppressed in 1826.

(figuratively) An elite, highly loyal supporter.

See Janizary.

A loyal supporter;

A Turkish soldier