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plural spahis
(history) An Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system. quotations
I hear that the great Sadiki Bey illustrated a copy of Strange Creatures, commissioned by an Uzbek spahi cavalryman, for only forty gold pieces.
2001, Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red, tr. Erdağ M Göknar
(history) 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