Zouave

Meaning

Noun

• One of an active and hardy body of soldiers in the French service, originally Kabyle, but now composed of Frenchmen who wear the Kabyle dress.
• One of a body of soldiers who adopt the dress and drill of the Zouaves in French service, as was done by a number of volunteer regiments in the army of the United States in the Civil War (1861–65).

Origin

• French, from Arabic زَوَاوِيّ, used to refer to a Kabyle soldier, especially of the Igawawen people.