adjective

1. working or done for payment only; motivated by a desire for money or other gain; venal; greedy
2. designating a soldier serving for pay in a foreign army; hired

Etymology: L mercenarius < merces, pay, wages, akin to merx: see market

noun pl. mercenaries -·nar′·ies

1. a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army
2. any person who will do anything for money; hireling