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). soldier 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. soldierly adj. soldiership n.
[ ME souder etc. f. OF soudier, soldier f. soulde (soldier's) pay f. L solidus: see SOLIDUS ]