zouave

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a soldier of a French light-infantry corps originally recruited in Algeria and known for a distinctive, brightly colored uniform

   The veteran zouave wore the corps's short jacket and loose trousers at the ceremony.

2. 2
   noun

   a member of another military unit modeled on the dress and drill of the French Zouaves, especially during the American Civil War

   The American zouave trained with the quick drill adopted from the French corps.

Borrowed from French zouave, from Algerian Arabic Zwawa, the name of a Kabyle tribal confederation. The French military name first referred to units recruited in Algeria and later spread to other regiments that copied their uniform and drill.

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