Defn: The whole body of soldiers; soldiery; militia; troops; the army.
MILITATE
Mil"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Militated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Militating.] Etym: [L. militare, militatum, to be a soldier, fr.
miles, militis, soldier.]
Defn: To make war; to fight; to contend; — usually followed by
against and with.
These are great questions, where great names militate against each
other. Burke.
The invisible powers of heaven seemed to militate on the side of the
pious emperor. Gibbon.
MILITIA Mi*li"tia, n. Etym: [L., military service, soldiery, fr. miles, militis, soldier: cf. F. milice.]
1. In the widest sense, the whole military force of a nation, including both those engaged in military service as a business, and those competent and available for such service; specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for military instruction and discipline, but not subject to be called into actual service except in emergencies. The king's captains and soldiers fight his battles, and yet… the power of the militia is he. Jer. Taylor.
2. Military service; warfare. [Obs.] Baxter.
MILITIAMAN
Mi*li"tia*man, n.; pl. Militiamen (.
Defn: One who belongs to the militia.
MILITIATE
Mi*li"ti*ate, v. i.
Defn: To carry on, or prepare for, war. [Obs.] Walpole.