Search results
- DictionaryMer·ce·nar·y/ˈmərsənˌerē/
adjective
- 1. primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics: "the crime was committed out of mercenary motives"
noun
- 1. a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army: "he had planned to seize power with the aid of a group of mercenaries"
A mercenary, also called a merc, soldier of fortune, or hired gun, is a private individual who joins an armed conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any other official military. [1] [2] Mercenaries fight for money or other forms of payment rather than for political interests.
People also ask
Do mercenaries have a military background?
What are mercenary services?
Are mercenaries back?
Can a mercenary be a combatant?
Dec 4, 2019 · Mercenaries are back, with nothing to impede their growth. To date, Washington has ignored this trend—a dangerous oversight. Mercenaries may not directly threaten the U.S. homeland, but they can challenge American allies and interests across the globe. Annihilating them is a losing strategy.
Apr 10, 2024 · Learn about the role and history of mercenaries, hired soldiers who fight for any state or nation without regard to political interests or issues. Explore the cases of Xenophon, El Cid, Frederick Herman, and Niccolò Piccinino, among others.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn what a mercenary is, how they have been used in warfare throughout history, and what are the pros and cons of hiring them. Explore the examples of ancient and modern mercenaries, such as the French Foreign Legion and Blackwater Worldwide.
Jul 24, 2013 · A comprehensive overview of the history of mercenaries in the European tradition of war, from the medieval period to the 21st century. Includes general overviews, case studies, and bibliographic references on various aspects of mercenary use and impact.
The meaning of MERCENARY is one that serves merely for wages; especially : a soldier hired into foreign service. How to use mercenary in a sentence.
Mar 25, 2015 · Global. The Return of the Mercenary. How private armies, and the technology they use, are changing warfare. By Kathy Gilsinan. March 25, 2015. The use of mercenaries in warfare has a very long...
