martial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Relating to war, soldiers, or the armed forces.

   The parade was full of martial music and marching troops.

2. 2
   adj

   Showing the qualities of a warrior, such as courage and discipline.

   He carried himself with a martial bearing even in old age.

From Middle English martial, marcial, mercial, mercialle (“relating to war, warlike; military; for use in fighting or warfare; brave, hardy; combative, fierce; ruthless, vicious; domineering, overbearing”), from Middle French martial (modern French martial (“martial”)), or directly from its etymon Latin mārtiālis (“of or pertaining to Mars, the Roman god of war”), from Mārtius (“of or pertaining to Mars”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship). The English word is cognate with Italian marziale (“martial”), Portuguese marcial (“martial”), Spanish marcial (“martial”).

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