1. Elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire, known for their military discipline and loyalty to the sultan.
Usage: Plural form; singular is janissary.; Historical term referring to Ottoman military forces (14th–19th centuries).
2. Loyal or devoted followers or supporters, especially of a ruler or institution.
Usage: Figurative or extended use.; Often used in historical or political contexts.

Examples

• The janissaries were the most feared military force in the Ottoman Empire.
• The sultan relied on his janissaries to maintain control over the vast empire.
• Janissaries underwent rigorous training from an early age.
• The rebellion was crushed by the janissaries loyal to the throne.
• Historians study the janissaries to understand Ottoman military organization.
• The term 'janissaries' is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any elite, devoted military unit.