noun

lansquenet

lan-skuh-NET

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Lansquenet (noun) means a German mercenary foot soldier, typically a pikeman, of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Example: “The painting shows a lansquenet in striped, slashed breeches.”

noun

historical a German mercenary foot soldier, typically a pikeman, of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

"The painting shows a lansquenet in striped, slashed breeches."

"Companies of lansquenets fought on both sides of many European wars of the period."

"Historians still argue over how disciplined the lansquenets really were."

dated a gambling card game in which players bet against cards turned up by the dealer.

"They played lansquenet late into the night for small stakes."

"Lansquenet was once a popular pastime in card-playing circles."

"The rules of lansquenet are simple enough to pick up in a few hands."

How to use lansquenet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word for either a historic German mercenary soldier or an old card game named after them.

When to use it

It is a specialist, mostly historical term, met more often in books than in speech.

Memory tip

Lansquenet and Landsknecht name the same soldier, just in the French and German spellings.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Landsknecht

Common pairings

a company of lansquenets play lansquenet a lansquenet pikeman

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “lansquenet” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The painting shows a _____ in striped, slashed breeches.

Etymology

Lansquenet was borrowed from French, which took it from German Landsknecht. That German word joins Lands, meaning of the land, with Knecht, meaning servant.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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skin the lamb

Rhymes for lansquenet

tenet Plantagenet

See all rhymes for lansquenet →

Frequently asked questions

What does lansquenet mean?

It can mean either a German mercenary foot soldier from the 15th and 16th centuries, or a gambling card game named after them.

Where does the word lansquenet come from?

It was borrowed from French, which in turn took it from the German word Landsknecht.

Is lansquenet the same as Landsknecht?

Yes, lansquenet is the French form of the German Landsknecht, referring to the same type of mercenary soldier.

What is the meaning of lansquenet?

"lansquenet" (noun) means a German mercenary foot soldier, typically a pikeman, of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.