zouavehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zouave_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZouave, n.
First published 1921; not fully revised

Zouavenoun

    1. 1.a.
      1848–
      One of a body of light infantry in the French army, originally recruited from the Algerian Kabyle tribe of Zouaoua, but afterwards composed of French soldiers distinguished for their physique and dash, and formerly retaining the original North African uniform.
      1. [1830
        The whole of the native warriors called the Zouavi.
        translation of E. Blaquiere's Sig. Pananti (ed. 2) 56]
      2. 1848
        The Zouaves were standing on the breach.
        W. K. Kelly, translation of L. Blanc, History of Ten Years vol. II. 520
      3. 1858
        Zouaves with turbans, long mantles, and bronzed, half-Moorish faces.
        N. Hawthorne, Journal 8 January in French & Italian Notebooks (1980) i. 14
      4. 1897
        In January, 1863, the French general Forey laid siege to Puebla... In one of the many assaults on the corner held by Diaz the zouaves broke into the first court-yard of his stronghold.
        Harper's Magazine April 752/1
      figurative
      1. 1858
        Those sciences which might be called the light infantry of progress, the Zouaves of thought.
        H. W. Beecher & E. D. Proctor, Life Thoughts 221
      2. 1903
        The ‘Physical Force’ agitators were the Zouaves of Carlton House.
        Speaker 30 May 210/2
      attributive
      1. 1863
        The orderly disorder of a Zouave march.
        E. Dicey, Six Months in Federal States vol. II. 7
    2. 1.b.
      1864–
      (Also Papal Zouave or Pontifical Zouave.) One of a corps of French soldiers organized at Rome in 1860 for the defence of the pope, and disbanded in 1871.
      1. 1864
        Some hundreds of the Pontifical Zouaves, chiefly French and Belgian,..were seen at St. Peter's.
        Manning in A. Reinaud, Abbé-Zouave Preface p. ix
      2. 1868
        When he returned to Rome to join the Zouaves.
        translation of Cardella's J. W. Russell 38
    3. 1.c.
      1860–
      A soldier of any of several volunteer regiments, assuming the name and in part the uniform of the French Zouaves, which served on the side of the North in the American Civil War (1861–5).
      1. 1860
        The gallant Zouaves..attracted much attention and admiration by their fine appearance and exact drills.
        Press & Tribune (Chicago) 23 February 1/4
      2. 1861
        Reinforcements were sent from here last night, the New Orleans Zouaves.
        J. Chesnut, Letter 12 June in C. V. Woodward, Mary Chesnut's Civil War (1981) v. 81
      3. 1865
        In the beginning, when the Yankee Zouaves were young and hopeful.
        G. A. Sala, My Diary in America vol. I. 292
  1. 2.
    1859–
    (In full, Zouave jacket, Zouave bodice.) A woman's short embroidered jacket or bodice, with or without sleeves, resembling the jacket of the Zouave uniform.
    1. 1859
      One of the most decided novelties of the present season is the Zouave jacket.
      Ladies' Treas. September 285/1
    2. 1859
      Nothing can be prettier for the interior than the little oriental jackets which we call to-day Zouaves.
      Ladies' Cabinet December 335/1
    3. 1893
      Zouave Bodices are a feature of autumn gowns.
      Lady 17 August 178/1

Zouave, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

Zouave, n. was last modified in July 2023.