Bashi-bazouk

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Bash´i-ba`zouk´

(băsh´ĭ`bå`zŌk´)

A soldier belonging to the irregular troops of the Turkish army.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.

References in periodicals archive ?

The regular Ottoman Army and irregular bashi-bazouk units brutally suppressed the rebels, resulting in a public outcry in Europe, with many famous intellectuals condemning the Ottoman atrocities and supporting the oppressed Bulgarian population.

Today Bulgarians Mark 143 Years since the April Uprising

You stepped on the loose belt of our bashi-bazouk that is ruling with Macedonia.

It is a classical bashi-bazouk, a parallel authority, without command, a criminal paramilitary army, collecting special taxes.

Murder of Ohrid

The uprising started, but was quelled by the Ottoman authorities as detachments of regular and irregular Ottoman troops (bashi-bazouks) were mobilized and attacked the first insurgent towns as early as April 25th.