mamluke

Noun

Mameluke (plural Mamelukes)

1. (historical) 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.
   • […] 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...1528, Thomas More, “A Dialogue Concernynge Heresyes & Matters of Religion […]. Chapter 15. That Princes be Boundẽ [Bounden] to Punish Heretykes, and that Fayre Handelyng Helpeth Litle with Many of...
2. (broadly, derogatory) One who supports someone or something blindly or slavishly; specifically, one who supports the Roman Catholic Church in this manner.
   • 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...1531 September, William Tyndale, “The Exposition of the First Epistle of Saint John, […]. Chapter. II.”, in Henry Walter, editor, Expositions and Notes on Sundry Portions of the Holy Scriptures...

   Synonyms:

   ovine, sheep

3. (broadly, obsolete) A slave (especially one who is a white European) in a Middle Eastern Muslim country.
   • But this madde Amalecke, / Lyke to a Mamelek, / He regardeth lordes / No more than potshordes; […]a. 1530 (date written), John Skelton, “Here after Foloweth a Lytell Boke, whiche hath to Name Why Come Ye Nat to Courte? […]”, in Alexander Dyce, editor, The Poetical Works of John Skelton: […]...

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