1. Plural of lansquenet: a German mercenary soldier of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to the specific military group
2. A gambling card game played with a single deck, popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Usage: archaic; also called lansquenet

Examples

• The lansquenets were known for their distinctive slashed clothing and pike weapons.
• Many European armies hired lansquenets as professional soldiers during the Renaissance.
• The lansquenets played a crucial role in several major military campaigns of the 16th century.
• Wealthy nobles often gambled at lansquenets during evening entertainments.
• The rules of lansquenets were simple enough for common soldiers to learn quickly.