ˈmiləˌtāt, usu -ād.+V intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin militatus, past participle of militare, from milit-, miles soldier; perhaps akin to Greek homilos assembly, Sanskrit melā
1. obsolete
a. : to serve as a soldier : engage in warfare
b. : to fight for a cause or a principle
2. : to have weight or effect
facts militate against this opinion
cultural unity has tended to militate … in favor of political independence — G.T.Rowles