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mil·i·tar·y

(mĭlĭ-tĕr′ē)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of members of the armed forces: a military bearing; military attire.

2. Performed or supported by the armed forces: military service.

3. Of or relating to war: military operations.

4. Of or relating to land forces.

n. pl. military also mil·i·tar·ies

1. Armed forces: a country ruled by the military.

2. Members, especially officers, of an armed force.

[Middle English, from Latin mīlitāris, from mīles, mīlit-, soldier.]

mil′i·tari·ly (-târə-lē) adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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