Giaours

/dʒaʊrz/ noun

Definition

Plural of giaour; multiple non-Muslim persons, especially Christians, using the Ottoman Turkish derogatory term.

Etymology

Regular English plural of 'giaour' (from Turkish 'gâvur'), formed by adding '-s'. The singular form entered English in the early 19th century and was pluralized according to standard English conventions.

Kelly Says

The plural form appears primarily in historical texts and Byron's poetry, making it a rare but historically important word that marks English's encounter with Ottoman religious and cultural terminology.

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