zouave Meaning, Definition & Usage

Zouave noun
Etymology
F., fr. Ar. Zouaoua a tribe of Kabyles living among the Jurjura mountains in Algeria.
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) (a) One of an active and hardy body of soldiers in the French service, originally Arabs, but now composed of Frenchmen who wear the Arab dress. (b) Hence, one of a body of soldiers who adopt the dress and drill of the Zouaves, as was done by a number of volunteer regiments in the army of the United States in the Civil War, 1861-65.

Webster 1913