noncombatant
[non-kuh m-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-tnt]
- a person connected with a military force in some capacity other than that of a fighter, as a surgeon or chaplain.
- a person who is not directly involved in combat; a civilian in wartime.
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- not constituting, designed for, or engaged in combat.
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Origin of noncombatant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for noncombatant
Contemporary Examples
Though limited to a noncombatant role, the Marines arrived in Guatemala fully armed.
Historical Examples
Hence Germany could apparently sink vessels with impunity so long as the noncombatant victims belonged to other nationalities.
The Royal Engineers are the men who are looked on in training as a noncombatant force, with safe jobs.
Trenching at GallipoliJohn Gallishaw
He issued a series of silly general orders making war on the noncombatant population of Virginia within his line.
The VictimThomas Dixon
Naturally he would have been denied permission to go forward during an engagement—that was no time nor place for a noncombatant.
Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing LineClarence Young
Jason Russell, an invalid and a noncombatant, was barbarously butchered in his own house.
noncombatant
- a civilian in time of war
- a member of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting, such as a chaplain or surgeon
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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