- mil|i|tar|y
- mil|i|tar|y «MIHL uh TEHR ee», adjective, noun.–adj.1. of soldiers or war: »
military training, military history.
2. done by soldiers: »military maneuvers.
3. fit for soldiers: »military discipline.
5. supported by armed force: »a military government.
–n.the military, a) the army; soldiers: »an officer of the military. Haven't you any aquaintances among the military to whom you could show your model [of a cannon]? (William D. Howells).
b) the armed forces; military establishment of a country or countries: »Their government is now being run by the military.
╂[< Latin mīlitāris < mīles, mīlitis soldier]Synonym Study adjective.1, 4 Military, martial, warlike mean having to do with war. Military emphasizes the idea of war as a serious business, and describes anything having to do with affairs of war or the armed forces (especially the army): »military strength, a military bearing.
Martial emphasizes the glory and pomp or the gallantry of fighting men: »martial music.
Warlike is applied particularly to aggressive acts or to sentiments that lead to war: »a warlike demonstration. The Iroquois were a warlike people.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.