mameluke

1 definition found

mameluke - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mameluke \Mam"e*luke\, n. [F. mamelouk, cf. Sp. mameluco, It.
     mammalucco; all fr. Ar. maml[=u]k a purchased slave or
     captive; lit., possessed or in one's power, p. p. of malaka
     to possesses.]
     One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves
     converted to Mohammedanism, who, during several centuries,
     had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until
     exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.
     [1913 Webster]