Streltsy

1 9.9

A group of Russian soldiers who used guns from the 1500s to the early 1700s

noun
/ˈstrɛlt͡si/

: Streltsy

Peter the Great disbanded the Streltsy after their failed rebellion in 1698.

Examples

The Streltsy were instrumental in defending Moscow during several uprisings.
Historians study the uniforms and weapons used by the Streltsy to understand Russian military history.
The Streltsy played a crucial role in the early Russian military.
Many Streltsy were involved in the rebellion against Peter the Great.
The Streltsy played a crucial role in defending Moscow during the Time of Troubles.
Many members of the Streltsy were known for their loyalty to the Tsar and their skill with firearms.
After the decline of the Streltsy, the Russian military underwent significant reforms to adapt to new tactics.

Surface Forms

Streltsy singular

Streltsies plural

Streltsys plural

Streltsy plural

Etymology

Streltsy comes from the old Russian strelets and the verb strelyat', which mean 'shooter' and 'to shoot'. So the name simply means the 'shooters' and was used for the Russian soldiers who used guns in the 16th to early 18th centuries.