Obs. Also STRADIOT. [a. F. estradiot = It. stradiotto, f. Gr. στρατιώτης soldier.] One of a class of light cavalry, originally raised in Greece and Albania, who served in the Venetian and other armies during the 15th and 16th centuries.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 822/1. The French were discomfited: for those that were behind saw … their Estradiots also.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard. (1618), 264. Many bands of Estradiots leuied in the kingdome of Naples.
1596. Danett, trans. Comines, 330. Crossebowe men on horsebacke, Estradiots, and footemen.
