[a. Sp., Pg., and It. turco TURK.]
1. A Chilian bird, Hylactes megapodius, related to and resembling the TAPACULO.
1839. Darwin, Voy. Nat., xii. (1873), 270. The former, called by the Chilenos ‘el Turco,’ is as large as a fieldfare…. The Turco is not uncommon.
1896. Newton, Dict. Birds, 947. The ‘Turco,’… Hylactes megapodius, is larger, with greatly developed feet and claws.
2. A Turk or Moor (in S. America).
1909. Bible in World, Aug., 242/2. The Arabic Version is needed by the so-called Turcos, who settle chiefly in North Brazil.
3. One of a body of native Algerian light infantry in the French army; a Zouave soldier. Also attrib. or adj.
1860. Capt. S. Osborn, in Once a Week, 7 July, 35/1. A small breadth of blue water stayed the charge of the Tartar cut-throat of the olden day, as we trust it may do the pas accéléré of the more modern Zouaves or Turcos.
1898. Edin. Rev., April, 344. The Turco battalion was constantly engaged. Ibid., 345. A battalion of Turcos.
1902. R. W. Chambers, Maids of Paradise, v. A Turco soldier came into the room.
