Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Historical) A British infantry soldier armed with a light flintlock musket: A "fusilier" was originally a designation for a type of foot soldier, distinguished by the specific firearm they carried.
   • A member of certain modern British regiments that retain the historical title: In contemporary use, "fusilier" refers to a soldier in regiments (e.g., the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) that have historical links to the original fusilier units.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The painting depicted a red-coated fusilier from the 18th century.
  • He served as a fusilier in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Advanced Usage

• "Fusilier" as a regimental title: The term is often capitalized when referring to the specific name of a regiment or its members.
  • The Fusiliers have a long and distinguished history.

Variants and Related Words

• Fusil (noun): The type of light flintlock musket from which the term "fusilier" is derived.
• Fusillade (noun): A simultaneous or rapid discharge of many firearms. While related etymologically (from French , to shoot), it is a distinct word with a different meaning.

Synonyms

• Infantryman: A soldier who fights on foot.
• Musketeer: (Historical) A soldier armed with a musket. This is a close historical synonym, though "fusilier" specifies a lighter flintlock model.

Related Phrases

• (No specific phrasal verbs are commonly associated with "fusilier")

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms are directly based on the word "fusilier")

Noun

1. (formerly) a British infantryman armed with a light flintlock musket