ANSPESSADES, a kind of Inferior Officers in the French Foot, below the Corporals, and yet above the common Sentinels. See CORPORAL, etc.
There are usually four or five in each Company. The Word is formed of the Italian ansa spezzata, q. d. broken Lance; which was occasioned hence, that they were originally disbanded Gendarmes, who for want of other Subsistence sued for a Place of some distinction in the Infantry.
ANSPESSADES
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- Written by: Ephraïm Chambers
- Category: Unclassified