Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A Turkish general or commander of land forces. This title is given by the Turks to every general having command of an army, but especially to the commander-in-chief and minister of war.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A general or commander of land forces in the Turkish empire; especially, the commander-in-chief of minister of war.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A commander in the Ottoman Empire.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Turkish serasker, a compound word with ser, "head", from Persian, and asker, "soldier", from Arabic.

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Examples

  • Under the name of Sinam Pasha, he asserts that his father became first general of the Janizaries, then seraskier, or commander-in-chief of the whole

    Celebrated Claimants from Perkin Warbeck to Arthur Orton Anonymous

  • Instead of giving him your money outright in a big purse as you would do with a _seraskier_, you beat around the bush.

    The Nabob, Vol. 2 (of 2) Alphonse Daudet 1868

  • The first was the sacred standard of the Prophet Mohammed, and accompanied the grand vizier in his capacity of representative and vice-regent of the sultan; and the latter was the banner which was always planted in front of the pavilion inhabited by the seraskier, or commander-in-chief of the

    Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf 1846

  • Yes; this was the news that suddenly spread confusion and dismay throughout Florence, the news which told how the Ottoman fleet, for some days past moored off the port of Leghorn, had vomited forth legions, and how the formidable force was approaching at a rapid rate, under the command of the grand vizier in person, the seraskier and sipehsalar of the armies of the sultan!

    Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf 1846

  • They were standing aside and watching the progress of the procession, and contemplating the earliest opportunity of representing their grievances to high authority, when the Turkish general, or the seraskier, as the Syrians inaccurately styled him, suddenly reined in his steed, and said, in a loud voice,

    Lothair Benjamin Disraeli 1842

  • He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitan pacha, to combat in the north against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians.

    The Pacha of Many Tales Frederick Marryat 1820

  • He had often mentioned to me the distinguished services of a young seraskier, whom he had lately appointed capitar pacha, to combat in the north against a barbarous nation called Sclavonians, or Russians.

    The Pacha of Many Tales Frederick Marryat 1820

  • A seraskier or officer took a liking to me here, and wanted me to stay, and offered me two wives; however I refused the temptation.

    The Life of Olaudah Equiano Or Gustavus Vassa The African Equiano, Olaudah 1789

  • Passarowitz, crossed that river, and marched in quest of a Turkish army amounting to fifty thousand men, headed by a seraskier.

    The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.II. From William and Mary to George II. Tobias George Smollett 1746

  • It is now fortified with the utmost care and skill the Turks are capable of, and strengthened by a very numerous garrison of their bravest janizaries, commanded by a bassa seraskier (i.e. general) though this last expression is not very just; for, to say truth, the seraskier is commanded by the janizaries.

    Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M--y W--y M--e Montague, Lady Mary W 1724

Comments

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  • (n): a Turkish general or commander of land forces; especially a commander in chief or minister of war.

    January 11, 2009

  • This word has NOTHING to do with a skier or skiing.

    September 20, 2021