n. [ F. mamelouk, cf. Sp. mameluco, It. mammalucco; all fr. Ar. mamlūk a purchased slave or captive; lit., possessed or in one's power, p. p. of malaka to possesses. ] One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Muslimism, who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by
n. [ F. mamelouk, cf. Sp. mameluco, It. mammalucco; all fr. Ar. mamlūk a purchased slave or captive; lit., possessed or in one's power, p. p. of malaka to possesses. ] One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Muslimism, who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by