Main Entry: ¹sol·dier

Pronunciation: \ˈsōl-jər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English soudeour, from Anglo-French soudeer, soudeour mercenary, from soudee shilling's worth, wage, from sou, soud shilling, from Late Latin solidus solidus

Date: 14th century

1 a : one engaged in military service and especially in the army b : an enlisted man or woman c : a skilled warrior
2 : a militant leader, follower, or worker
3 a : one of a caste of wingless sterile termites usually differing from workers in larger size and head and long jaws b : one of a type of worker ants distinguished by exceptionally large head and jaws
4\ˈsō-jər, ˈsōl-\ : one who shirks work

— sol·dier·ly \-lē\ adjective or adverb

— sol·dier·ship \-ˌship\ noun