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soldiery

[sohl-juh-ree]
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noun, plural sol·dier·ies for 2.
  1. soldiers collectively.
  2. a body of soldiers.
  3. military training or skill.
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Origin of soldiery

First recorded in 1560–70; soldier + -ry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for soldiery

artillery, corps, company, infantry, squad, command, battalion, navy, force, troop, service, army, team, crew, delegation, contingent, gang, party, military, unit

Examples from the Web for soldiery

Historical Examples of soldiery

  • The Spaniards give place to none in the reputation of soldiery.

    The Praise of Folly

    Desiderius Erasmus

  • Let your soldiery patrol the streets and search every house from top to bottom.

    Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer

    Cyrus Townsend Brady

  • Is it not permitted that I speak with the captain of the soldiery who escort me?

    Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer

    Cyrus Townsend Brady

  • There was, then, considerable discontent among the British soldiery.

  • I knew too well the ruffian natures of the soldiery to hazard such a risk.

    Arthur O'Leary

    Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for soldiery

soldiery

noun plural -dieries
  1. soldiers collectively
  2. a group of soldiers
  3. the profession of being a soldier
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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

Word Origin and History for soldiery

n.

1560s, from Middle French souderie or else a native formation from soldier + -y (1).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper