hussar

2 definitions found

hussar - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Hussar \Hus*sar"\, n. [Hung. husz['a]r, from husz twenty,
     because under King Matthais I., in the fifteenth century,
     every twenty houses were to furnish one horse soldier; cf. G.
     husar, F. houssard, hussard, from the same source.] (Mil.)
     Originally, one of the national cavalry of Hungary and
     Croatia; now, one of the light cavalry of European armies.
     [1913 Webster]

hussar - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  hussar
      n 1: a member of a European light cavalry unit; renowned for
           elegant dress