Mameluke
9.9
A member of a military group who ruled Egypt from the 1200s to the early 1800s
- noun
- /ˈmæməˌluk/
:
mameluco
- Many Mameluke leaders rose to power from being enslaved soldiers in the 13th century.
Examples
-
In the history of Egypt, the Mameluke caste ruled with great influence for several centuries.
-
The Mameluke warriors were known for their skill in combat during the medieval period.
-
What do you think I'm a mameluke like Vito?
Synonyms
Mamluk
vsMameluke
1
9.9
A military leader who began as a slave and ruled Egypt and parts of the Middle East
covers the same group but extends their rule into the early nineteenth century
Mameluke soldier
vsMameluke
9.9
A soldier from old Egypt who began life as a slave and later ruled
refers specifically to members in Egypt rather than across Muslim regions
Compounds
9.9
Family of rulers in Egypt and Syria made of former slave soldiers from the 1200s to the early 1500s
Surface Forms
Etymology
Mameluke comes from the Arabic word mamlūk, which means 'owned' or 'slave'. These were once slave soldiers who later rose to rule parts of Egypt, so the name now refers to that military group that held power.