Etymology Map
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Mercenary

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a professional soldier hired by a foreign army

Where does the word "mercenary" come from? It comes from Latin mercenarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mercenarius
Latin · ancient
"hired for pay"
from 'merces', wages, the root of 'mercy'
2
Stage 2 of 3
mercenaire
Old French · medieval
"hireling"
Swiss mercenaries served across Europe; the Vatican's Swiss Guard dates from 1506
3
Stage 3 of 3
mercenary
English · 1300s
"hired worker"
hired soldiers were the main sense by the 1500s
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Read the full story

Mercenary’s story begins in Latin: mercenarius meant “hired for pay.” From 'merces', wages, the root of 'mercy'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mercenaire. Swiss mercenaries served across Europe; the Vatican's Swiss Guard dates from 1506. It reached English by 1300s as mercenary. Hired soldiers were the main sense by the 1500s. Today, mercenary means a professional soldier hired by a foreign army.