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askari

noun
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as·​ka·​ri | \ ˈaskərē; əˈskärē, aˈs- \
plural askaris or askari

Definition of askari

1 : a native soldier especially of eastern Africa in the service of a European power
2 : a native police officer or guard of eastern Africa

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First Known Use of askari

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for askari

Arabic ʽaskarī

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The first known use of askari was in 1835

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Cite this Entry

“Askari.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/askari. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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