2 entries under this word

Mercenary

Měr'çe-na-ry, a.

adjective

(44), a. [Lat. mercenarius, from merces, wages, reward; from merere, to deserve, to serve for pay; Fr. mercenaire, Pr. mercenari, Sp., Pg., & It. mercenario.]

  1. Acting for reward; serving for pay; paid; hired; hireling; venal.
  2. Hence, in a bad sense, moved by considerations of pay or profit; governed by, or proceeding from, greediness of gain; sordid; selfish.

He wagged me with his countenance, as if I had been mercenary. Shak. Syn. — See VENAL.

Měr'çe-na-ry, n.

noun

n. One who is hired; a hireling; especially a soldier hired into foreign service.