I. ˈmər-sə-ˌner-ē, -ne-rē noun
( plural -nar·ies )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin mercenarius, irregular from merced-, merces wages — more at mercy
Date: 14th century
: one that serves merely for wages ; especially : a soldier hired into foreign service
II. adjective
Date: 1532
1. : serving merely for pay or sordid advantage : venal ; also : greedy
2. : hired for service in the army of a foreign country
• mer·ce·nar·i·ly ˌmər-sə-ˈner-ə-lē, -ˈne-rə- adverb
• mer·ce·nar·i·ness ˈmər-sə-ˌner-ē-nəs, -ˌne-rē- noun