lansquenet

noun

lans·que·net

¦lan(t)skə¦net,

-anzk-,

-kə¦nā

plural -s

: a German foot soldier in foreign service in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries : a mercenary foot soldier

: a card game similar to faro played in central Europe since the 15th century or before

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of German landsknecht, from Middle High German landskneht, from lands (genitive of lant land, country, province, from Old High German) + kneht boy, youth, foot soldier, from Old High German, boy, youth, military follower