Definition

A sailor or soldier from India, especially one who serves on a ship or in the army.

Example

The lascar worked diligently on the merchant ship, navigating the waters with skill.

Conversation

Have you ever met a lascar before?

No, I haven't. What’s that like?

They have such interesting stories from their travels at sea.

That sounds amazing! I would love to hear one.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lascar originates from the Persian word 'laskar' (meaning soldier or army), which was adopted into Portuguese as 'lascar' and later into English. The term historically referred to sailors from the Indian subcontinent, particularly those employed on European ships.

Memory Tip

Think of 'laskar' meaning soldier in Persian, which helps you remember that 'lascar' refers to sailors, often seen as soldiers of the sea.

Visually Confused Words