SOL, Fr. Soil; ground.
SOLAKS. Bowmen or archers belonging to the personal guard of the grand signor. They are always selected from the most expert bowmen that are among the janizaries. Their only arms are, the sabre, bow, and arrows.
SOLBATU, Fr. In farriery, surbated.
SOLDAN. This word is pronounced Soudan. It was formerly given to a general who commanded the califf’s army. Saladin, a general under Naradin, king of Damas, having killed the califf Kaym, usurped the throne, and assumed the title in 1146; so that he became the first Soldan of Egypt.
SOLDAT, Fr. See [Soldier].
Soldat d’ordonnance à l’armée, Fr. An orderly man.
SOLDATESQUE, Fr. A substantive of the collective feminine gender, which signifies private soldiers, viz.
La Bourgeoisie était exposée aux insultes de la soldatesque; the citizens were exposed to the insults of the soldiery. La soldatesque s’est révoltée contre les officiers; the soldiers revolted or mutinied against the officers.
Soldatesque is likewise used as an adjective, viz. Des mœurs soldatesque; the ways or manners of a private soldier. Une dispute soldatesque; a military broil or a dispute among private soldiers. We have an adjective which is derived from the same source, namely, soldier-like, but which is only taken in a good sense with us, as soldier-like conduct, soldier-like behaviour; unsoldier-like being the opposite.
SOLDATS étrangers ou Mercénaires, Fr. Foreign or mercenary troops.