Noah Webster
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.