askaris
|a-ska-ris|
🇺🇸
/æˈskɑriːz/
🇬🇧
/əˈskɑːrɪz/
(askari)
local/colonial soldier
Etymology
'askari' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'ʿaskarī', where 'ʿaskar' meant 'army' or 'military'.
'askari' passed from Arabic into Swahili and other East African languages, then entered European colonial languages (e.g. German, English) in the 19th century; the English plural form 'askaris' was formed in that contact context.
Initially it meant 'soldier' or 'military person' in Arabic; over time the term came to be used specifically for locally recruited troops serving colonial or foreign powers, though the core sense 'soldier' remains.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'askari': native soldiers or policemen recruited locally to serve in colonial or foreign military and security forces, especially in East Africa and parts of the Middle East during the colonial period.
The colonial administration relied on askaris to maintain order in remote districts.
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Noun 2
informal or extended usage: members of a locally recruited military or security force (not necessarily colonial), often implying troops familiar with the local terrain and population.
Modern peacekeeping units sometimes work alongside local askaris during joint patrols.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 19:00