■ noun
1》 a person who serves in an army.
↘(also common ~ or private ~ ) a private in an army.
2》 Entomology a wingless caste of ant or termite with a large modified head and jaws, involved chiefly in defence.
3》 Brit. informal a strip of bread or toast, dipped into a soft-boiled egg.
4》 an upright brick, timber, or other building element.
■ verb
1》 serve as a ~.
2》 ( ~ on ) informal persevere.
Derivatives
~ly adjective
~ship noun ( archaic ).
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ , from soulde '(~'s) pay', from L. solidus (see solidus ).