Etymology Map
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Military

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means relating to soldiers or armed forces; the armed forces

Where does the word "military" come from? It comes from Latin militaris, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
militaris
Latin · classical
"of soldiers"
from miles 'soldier'; Gaius Marius's reforms of 107 BC opened the legions to landless volunteers, making soldiering a career
2
Stage 2 of 2
military
English · 1580s
"relating to armed forces"
came via Middle French militaire; President Eisenhower warned of the 'military-industrial complex' in his farewell address of 1961
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Military’s story begins in Latin: militaris meant “of soldiers.” From miles 'soldier'; Gaius Marius's reforms of 107 BC opened the legions to landless volunteers, making soldiering a career. It reached English by 1580s as military. Came via Middle French militaire; President Eisenhower warned of the 'military-industrial complex' in his farewell address of 1961. Today, military means relating to soldiers or armed forces; the armed forces.