janissary

/ˈdʒænəˌsɛri/

Other forms: janissaries

A janissary is a devoted follower or steadfast ally. The people chanting supportively and waving signs at political rallies are usually the candidate's janissaries.

Today's janissary is a hardcore supporter, someone whose priorities and opinions align with a particular person or group. The original meaning of the word, also spelled janizary or janisary, was "elite Turkish soldier," from a root that means "new troops." The earliest janissaries, in the 13th century, were mostly composed of war prisoners or slaves — rather than being devoted to a cause, they were forced to support it.

Definitions of janissary

1. noun

   an elite Turkish soldier who was a member of the Sultan’s guard from the 14th to early 19th century
   synonyms: Janissary

   type of:

   soldier

   an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
2. noun

   a loyal supporter
   “every politician has a following of janissaries”

   type of:

   follower

   a person who accepts the leadership of another