pandour
Definition of pandour
-s
1 : a member of a Croatian regiment in the Austrian army of the 18th century originally organized as a local militia and having a reputation for cruelty and plundering
2 : an armed servant or retainer of the nobility or member of a mounted constabulary in and near Croatia
Read the Latest from M-W
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of pandour
French pandour, pandoure, from Hungarian pandur, from Croatian, guard, constable, probably from Medieval Latin banderius, bannerius guardian of fields, summoner, from bannum proclamation, summons, ban, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German ban command, prohibition, jurisdiction — more at ban
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up pandour? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!