ˈsəuldʒə n. & v. --n. 1 a
person serving in or having served in an
army. 2 (in full
common soldier) a
private or
NCO in an army. 3 a
military commander of specified
ability (a
great soldier). 4 (in full soldier ant) a wingless
ant or
termite with a
large head and jaws
for fighting in
defence of
its colony. 5 (in full soldier beetle) a reddish-coloured beetle, Rhagonycha fulva, with flesh-eating larvae. --v.intr.
serve as a soldier (was
off soldiering). øsoldier of
Christ an
active or proselytizing
Christian. soldier of
fortune an
adventurous person
ready to
take service
under any State or person; a
mercenary. soldier on colloq.
persevere doggedly. øøsoldierly adj. soldiership n. [ME souder etc. f. OF soudier, soldier f. soulde (soldier's) pay f. L
solidus: see SOLIDUS]