Main Entry: ¹mer·ce·nary

Pronunciation: \ˈmər-sə-ˌner-ē, -ne-rē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural mer·ce·nar·ies

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin mercenarius, irregular from merced-, merces wages — more at mercy

Date: 14th century

: one that serves merely for wages; especially : a soldier hired into foreign service