Militia Definition
mə-lĭshə
militias
noun
militias
Any military force.
Webster's New World
Later, any army composed of citizens rather than professional soldiers, called up in time of emergency.
Webster's New World
In the U.S., all able-bodied male citizens between 18 and 45 years old who are not already members of the regular armed forces: members of the National Guard and of the Reserves (of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps) constitute the organized militia; all others, the unorganized militia.
Webster's New World
The whole body of physically fit civilians eligible by law for military service.
American Heritage
Any of various disaffected groups of citizens that are organized as to resemble an army and that oppose the authority of the federal government.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- reserves
- national guard
- civilian army
- military force
Other Word Forms of Militia
Noun
Singular:
militia
Plural:
militiasOrigin of Militia
The use of "militia" rather than "police" to refer to the police force (of Russia and some other countries) originated among Russian communists.
From Wiktionary
Latin mīlitia warfare, military service from mīles mīlit- soldier
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Latin mÄ«litia (“army, military force/service"), from mÄ«les (“soldier").
From Wiktionary
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