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).
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
soldierly adj. soldiership n.
Etymology: ME souder etc. f. OF soudier, soldier f. soulde (soldier's) pay f. L solidus: see SOLIDUS