Definition of SPAHI

spahi

Plural: spahis

Noun

  • A member of the former Turkish or French Algerian cavalry.
  • An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
  • A soldier in a mainly Arab-recruited cavalry (originally horse, later light armored) regiment in French colonial service in (former/ in name still) Ottoman North African provinces.

Examples

  • SPAHI was a surprisingly useful word, given its high-value ’H’.

Origin / Etymology

From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”) (> sepoy), from سِپَاه (sipāh, “army”). Doublet of sepoy and sipahi.

Scrabble Score: 10

spahi: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
spahi: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
spahi: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

spahi: valid Words With Friends Word