Mercenary
/ˈmɜːr.sə.ner.i/noun
A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
Did you know?In ancient times, mercenaries were often seen as traitors, selling their loyalty to the highest bidder and shifting allegiances like the tides.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*merḱ-
“to exchange or trade”
Latin
Latin
merces
“wages or rewards”
Late Latin
Late Latin
mercenarius
“one who works for wages”
Old French
Old French
mercenaire
“a hired soldier”
Middle English
Middle English
mercenarie
“a soldier for hire”
Modern English
English
mercenary
“a professional soldier serving for pay, especially in a foreign army.”
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