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DictionarysamuraiJapanese warrior class
noun / adjective

samurai

SAM-oo-rye/ˈsæmuraɪ/

A member of Japan's hereditary warrior class.

The samurai stands in period armor with paired swords at his side.

A Japanese samurai of the late sixteenth century stands in recognizable period armor, wearing a helmet and paired sheathed swords.
Etymology
samuraiJapaneseto attend, to serve

The underlying idea is service: a samurai was originally a military retainer attending a daimyo, or feudal lord. The warrior’s title reflects that relationship of service.

In context

Adell Ayon36:20
the samurai the the warrior and gentleman of Japan was defined by the two swords that he wore
National Geographic - History of Swords Documentary - History Channel Documentary

More examples

  • The museum displayed samurai armor.
  • Several samurai served the local lord.
  • The film depicts a samurai returning from a journey.

Forms

samurai · samurais