fedayeen
UK[ˌfɛdəˈjiːn]US[ˌfɛdəˈjiːn]
n
A group of Arab guerrilla fighters, especially those operating against Israel.
Etymology
The English term 'fedayeen' is a plural borrowing from Arabic 'fidā'īyīn', which itself is the plural of 'fidā'ī'. This Arabic root derives from 'fidā'', meaning 'ransom' or 'sacrifice'. A 'fidā'ī' is literally 'one who sacrifices himself', conveying the sense of a dedicated fighter or martyr for a cause. The word entered English in the mid-20th century, specifically in the context of Palestinian and other Arab paramilitary fighters, carrying with it the connotations of sacrifice and guerrilla warfare inherent in its Arabic origin.
Analysis
This word is a direct loanword from Arabic, adopted into English as a single, unsegmentable unit in its current spelling.
Examples
The fedayeen launched a raid across the border.
Reports detailed the fedayeen's tactics and organizational structure.
The term fedayeen was frequently used in news coverage of the conflict.