Loading..

Loading...

American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Mercenary


MER'CENARY, adjective [Latin mercenarius, from merces, reward, wages, mercor, to guy.]

1. Venal; that may be hired; actuated by the hope of reward; moved by the love of money; as a mercenary prince or judge.

2. Hired; purchased by money; as mercenary services; mercenary soldiers.

3. Sold for money; as mercenary blood.

4. Greedy of gain; mean; selfish; as a mercenary disposition.

5. Contracted from motives of gain; as a mercenary marriage.

MER'CENARY, noun One who is hired; a soldier that is hired into foreign service; a hireling.