legionary

[ lee-juh-ner-ee ]

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or belonging to a legion.

  2. constituting a legion or legions.

noun,plural le·gion·ar·ies.
  1. History/Historical. a soldier of a Roman legion.

  2. a member of the British Legion.

Origin of legionary

1
From the Latin word legiōnārius, dating back to 1570–80. See legion, -ary

Words Nearby legionary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use legionary in a sentence

  • Interestingly enough, much like the later day Roman legionaries, the ordinary soldier of the Ancient Egyptian army was possibly motivated by the allure of wealth and social progression.

  • For two days he had faced death, fighting like a legionary or a knight-errant, and in short playing the hero.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • In that abject figure you look in vain for the dash of Thracian blood, or seek the descendant of the Roman legionary.

    The British Expedition to the Crimea | William Howard Russell
  • In 391, the people arrogated the right of appointing a part of the legionary tribunes, previously chosen by the consuls.

    History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2 | Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.
  • My staff struck hard and square on the helmet of a legionary, who, falling backward, dragged down with him the soldier behind.

    The Brass Bell | Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for legionary

legionary

/ (ˈliːdʒənərɪ) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to a legion

nounplural -aries
  1. a soldier belonging to a legion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012