Mameluke — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A member of various military regimes in the Middle East established and run by freed white slave soldiers, mainly from the Eurasian steppe or the Caucasus; in particular, those who formed a ruling caste in Egypt from 1250 until 1812 and in Syria from 1260 until 1516.

   Usage

   • Historical

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […] Mammolukes and Geniſaries about yͤ Turk and Sowdã [Sowdan, i.e., Sudan], haue vſed to chriſten their children of purpoſe, that by the renayĩg of their fayth, after, they might be made Mammolukes or Geniſaries, as theyr fathers were, and may be had the more in eſtimacion & fauour about the greate Turke, […]

   The Mammalukes boaſt, that they have the nimbleſt and readieſt horſes of any men at armes in the vvorld.

   More examples (2)

   The mightie Empire of Saladine againe rent in peeces, yet ſtill poſſeſſed in parts by the Selzuccian family: vntill driuen out of Syria by the Tartars, and diſpoſſeſt of Ægypt by the Mamalacks.

   I shall not tell how that one solitary Mameluke jumped his horse a hundred feet down from the battlements of the citadel and escaped, because I do not think much of that—I could have done it myself; […]

   Conceivably both fort and causeway had been built by an Egyptian Mameluke for the passage of his pilgrim-caravan from Yenbo.

   More examples (2)

   He [Napoleon] first smashed the native Mameluke army at the battle of the Pyramids on 21 July [1798], and secured lower Egypt before leading an expedition in Syria against Turkish forces.

   The Mamluks, who seized power in Egypt in 1250, were a caste of men captured for military service, so they drew their identity from their defence of Islam against its enemies.

2. One who supports someone or something blindly or slavishly; specifically, one who supports the Roman Catholic Church in this manner.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Derogatory

   Synonyms

   ovinesheep

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   For love of the world many are this day fallen away; and many which stood on the truth's side, and defended it awhile, for love of the world have gotten them unto the contrary part, and are become the antichrist of Rome's mamelukes, and are waxen the most wicked enemies unto the truth, and most cruel against it.

   But, so long as the Bishop of Rome remains Pope, and has an army of Mamelukes all over the world, we shall do very little by fulminating against mere doctrinal errors.

3. A slave (especially one who is a white European) in a Middle Eastern Muslim country.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   But this madde Amalecke, / Lyke to a Mamelek, / He regardeth lordes / No more than potshordes; […]

   More examples (2)

   The King our maſter hath ſent a decree and certaine ſtatutes touching the good gouernment and orders to be executed and kept in thoſe Indian townes; and that vpon ſight hereof I ſhall preſently baniſh all the Mamalukes and white men which dwell in any of thoſe Indian townes with all ſpeede, […]

   Having accepted this advice the King forthwith bade prepare handsome gifts, such as horses with saddles of gem encrusted gold; Mamelukes, or white slaves; beautiful handmaids, high breasted virgins, and splendid stuffs and costly.