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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

Examples from the Web for soldiery

Historical Examples

  • 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