n. 1. One who serves in an army. 2. An enlisted person or a noncommissioned officer. 3. An active, loyal, or militant follower of an organization. 4. a. A nonreproductive ant or termite that has a large head and powerful jaws. b. One of a group of honeybees that swarm in defense of a hive. intr.v. sol·diered, sol·dier·ing, sol·diers Phrasal Verb: 1. To be or serve as a soldier. 2. To make a show of working in order to escape punishment. soldier on To continue to do something, especially when it is difficult or tedious; persevere: "As Russia decayed, these Siberians soldiered on, finding ways to live and enjoy life" (Jeffrey Tayler). [Middle English soudier, mercenary, from Anglo-Norman soudeour, soldeier and Old French soudoior, soudier, both from Old French sol, soud, sou, from Late Latin solidum, soldum, pay, from solidus, solidus; see SOLIDUS.] soldier·ship′ n. |
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