The New International Encyclopædia/Irregulars

IRREGULARS (ML. irregularis, not according to rule, from Lat. in-, not + regularis, relating to rule, from regula, rule, from regere, to rule). A military term generally applied to partisan troops assisting the regular establishment. They are, as a rule, only partially trained and equipped, as, for instance, the Franc-tireurs (q.v.) in 1871; some of the Cossack (q.v.) regiments of Russia; the Bashi-Bazouks (q.v.) of Turkey; and the armies of the feudatory chiefs and rulers of India. See Armies.