Hus-sär', n.

(hōōz-zär'), n. [Hung. huszár, from husz, twenty, because under King Matthias I., in the fifteenth century, every twenty houses were to furnish one horse-soldier; Ger. husar, Fr. houssard, Sp. hüsar, hüsaro, It. üssaro.] (Mil.) Originally, one of the national cavalry of Hungary and Croatia; now one of the light cavalry of European armies.

☞ The equipments of these troops are very light and elegant, their arms being a saber, a carbine, and pistols. Hussars now form a part of the French and English cavalry.