martial

¹

[ mahr-shuhl ]

adjective

1. inclined or disposed to war; warlike:

   The ancient Romans were a martial people.

2. of, suitable for, or associated with war or the armed forces:

   martial music.

   Synonyms: soldierly, military

3. characteristic of or befitting a warrior:

   a martial stride.

Martial

²

[ mahr-shuhl ]

noun

1. Marcus Valerius Martialis, a.d. 43?–104?, Roman epigrammatist, born in Spain.

Martial

¹

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to Mars

martial

²

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of war, soldiers, or the military life

Martial

³

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

noun

1. Martial?40?104MRomanSpanishWRITING: epigrammatistWRITING: poet full name Marcus Valerius Martialis. ?40–?104 ad , Latin epigrammatist and poet, born in Spain

Derived Forms

• ˈmartialist, noun
• ˈmartialness, noun
• ˈmartialism, noun
• ˈmartially, adverb

Other Words From

• martial·ism noun
• martial·ist noun
• martial·ly adverb
• martial·ness noun
• non·martial adjective
• non·martial·ly adverb
• non·martial·ness noun
• un·martial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin Mārtiālis of, belonging to Mars, equivalent to Mārti- (stem of Mārs ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial¹

C14: from Latin martiālis of Mars ¹

Example Sentences

During the colonial period the Punjabi Muslims formed the prized martial class for the British Raj.

From The Daily Beast

Some writers are mathematicians, rhetoricians, satirists, poets, or epigrammatists (Martial).

From The Daily Beast

The discipline required for martial arts fed into the psychology of the character, who approaches everything mission by mission.

From The Daily Beast

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a form of fighting that has become increasingly popular over the past decade.

From The Daily Beast

And in World War I, hares were advertised as a “good martial diet.”

From The Daily Beast

From several doorways other men emerged, some of martial bearing, showing that the place was garrisoned to some extent.

From Project Gutenberg

He was at once arrested, and on October 13th tried by court martial, condemned to death, and executed a few hours later.

From Project Gutenberg

The news of Bruce's revolt and the death of Comyn roused Edward into full martial vigour.

From Project Gutenberg

He was considered a harsh Governor because his martial law administration was characterized by severe punishment for wrongdoing.

From Project Gutenberg

Juvenal, Martial, and other classical authors, notice the extraordinary sufferings of the Christians.

From Project Gutenberg