samurai

[sam-oo-rahy]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Japanese History.

plural

samurai

a member of the hereditary warrior class in feudal Japan.
a retainer of a daimyo.

samurai

/ ˈsæmʊˌraɪ, ˈsæmjʊ- /

noun

the Japanese warrior caste that provided the administrative and fighting aristocracy from the 11th to the 19th centuries
a member of this aristocracy

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Word History and Origins

Origin of samurai¹

1720–30; < Japanese, earlier samurafi to serve, equivalent to sa- prefix + morafi watchfully wait (frequentative of mor- to guard)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of samurai¹

C19: from Japanese

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He’s one of the last samurais battling on behalf of the theatrical experience.

From

Police found weapons and equipment including a crossbow, 14 knives including some with Nazi and SS insignia, machetes, a tomahawk, a samurai sword, knuckledusters, a catapult, an extendable baton and a stun gun.

From

Last year, a 78-year-old man was arrested in Yokohama after attacking his neighbour with a ceremonial samurai sword during an dispute.

From

I have a passion for Japan, and samurais who put intention in pouring the tea and drawing the sword — which is the opposite of modern civilization.

From

The master-servant relationship from the samurai period has transitioned into the relationship between founding families and their employees, and "historically commoners never fought over the top job".

From

Samuelson samurai bond

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