/jan"euh ser'ee/ , n. , pl. janissaries .
1. ( often cap. ) a member of an elite military unit of the Turkish army organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826 after it revolted against the Sultan.
2. ( often cap. ) any soldier in the Turkish army.
3. a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters.
Also, janizary /jan"euh zer'ee/ .
[ 1520-30; janissaire gian ( n ) izzero yeniçeri, equiv. to yeni new + çeri soldiery, militia ]