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