/ ˈmɜːsənəri; NAmE ˈmɜːrsəneri/ noun , adjective
■ noun
( pl. -ies ) a soldier who will fight for any country or group that offers payment :
foreign mercenaries
mercenary soldiers
■ adjective
( disapproving ) only interested in making or getting money :
a mercenary society / attitude
She's interested in him for purely mercenary reasons.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun): from Latin mercenarius hireling, from merces , merced- reward.