soldier
n. · v.-
1 military member (n.) A2 Elementary Militarya person who serves in an army, especially someone who is not an officer.
a member of a ground-based military force, typically referring to enlisted personnel rather than commissioned officers.
ExampleThe young soldier wrote letters home to his family every week during his training.
ExampleAfter years of service, the veteran soldier found it difficult to adjust to the quiet routines of civilian life in a small town.
-
2 strip of toast (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate British English Cookinga thin strip of toast used for dipping into a soft-boiled egg.
a narrow strip of buttered toast or bread intended for dipping into the yolk of a soft-boiled egg.
ExampleThe child dipped a buttery toast soldier into the runny yellow egg.
ExampleA traditional British breakfast often includes soft-boiled eggs served in ceramic cups with a side of crisp toast soldiers.
- toast strip
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 organized crime (n.) C1 Advanced Informala low-ranking member of a criminal group like the mafia.
a low-level member of a criminal organization, specifically the American Mafia, who operates under the command of a caporegime.
ExampleThe police arrested several soldiers who were working for the local crime family.
ExampleIn the hierarchy of the syndicate, a soldier must prove his loyalty through years of service before being considered for promotion.
-
4 termite caste (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencea type of ant or termite with a large head that protects the nest.
a specialized caste of social insects, such as termites or ants, anatomically modified for the defense of the colony.
ExampleThe soldier termites used their large jaws to block the entrance to the nest.
ExampleThe colony's survival depends on the soldier caste's ability to repel predatory ants during a breach of the mound.
-
5 to keep going (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto continue working or trying hard even when things are difficult.
to persist or persevere in a task or situation despite hardship or lack of motivation; often used with 'on'.
ExampleEven though she was exhausted, she decided to soldier on until the project was finished.
ExampleDespite the dwindling budget and lack of public support, the research team chose to soldier on with their experiments.
UsageOften used as the phrasal verb 'soldier on'.
Inherited from Middle English soudeour, from Old French soudier or soudeour (“mercenary”), from Medieval Latin soldarius (“soldier (one having pay)”), from Late Latin solidus, a type of coin. Displaced Old English cempa (whence obsolete kemp). (red herring): An allusion to soldiers' red uniforms; red herring is, reciprocally, a slang term for "soldier".