military English · revision 2545

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1460|origins=la mīles}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tri/, US /ˈmɪl.ə.ter.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|militari]], [[bor|la|mīlitāris|t=of soldiers or war, warlike]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) partly through Old French [[m|fro|militaire]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) from [[m|la|mīles|t=soldier]] (genitive [[m|la|mīlitis]]),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) a word of unknown origin,^(Etymonline) perhaps from Etruscan.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Klein explains ''mīlitāris'' as dissimilated from [[m|la|*mīlitālis]].^(Klein 1966) It is related to [[militia]], [[militant]] and [[militate]].^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or pertaining to soldiers: 1460^(Barnhart 1988) or the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The OED's first example of “used, performed or brought about by soldiers” is from 1585,^(OED 1989) of a person engaged in a soldier's life from 1597,^(OED 1989) and of things adapted to or connected with the army from 1590.^(OED 1989) ''Military academy'' is from 1776.^(OED 1989) The noun meant a military man from 1736,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) or 1709 according to Merriam-Webster,^(MW Collegiate) and soldiers in general, usually as ''the military'', from 1757.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Militarism'' is from 1864, after French ''militarisme''.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Military-industrial'' is from 1961.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1460 – of soldiers.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1585 – performed by soldiers.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1736 – noun, a military man.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1757 – ''the military'', soldiers.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1776 – ''military academy''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – ''militarism''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1961 – ''military-industrial''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or characteristic of the [[armed forces]] or soldiers.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Performed or supported by the armed forces.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Of or relating to [[war]].^(AHD)

+ # Of land forces, as distinct from naval.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(the military)'' The armed forces, or their members, especially officers.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[militarily]]

+ * [[militariness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[militia]]

+ * [[militant]]

+ * [[militarism]]

+ * [[militate]]

+ * [[paramilitary]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}