mercenary

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them, rather than out of loyalty.

   The dictator hired foreign mercenaries to crush the rebellion.

2. 2
   adj

   Motivated mainly by money or personal gain.

   Her mercenary attitude meant she only helped people who could repay her.

From Middle English mercenarye (“someone paid to work, hireling”), from Latin mercēnārius (“hired for money”), from mercēs (“reward, wages, price”).

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