veteran

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   rendered competent through trial and experience

   I am a veteran footballer.

2. 2
   noun

   an experienced person who has been through many battles

   I am a veteran when it comes to exams.

3. 3
   noun

   a person who has served in the armed forces

   There are many veterans in my family.

4. 4
   noun

   a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

   The veterans laughed at the new recruits.

5. 5
   noun

   A person with long experience of a particular activity.

   The company's new hires were nervous, but the veterans were self-assured because, as one summarized it, "this isn't our first rodeo."

6. 6
   noun

   A group, animal, etc. with long experience of a particular activity.

   Their mules were clearly veterans. They seemed to know what to do even better than the teenage farmhand who was driving the team.

7. 7
   adj

   Having had long experience, practice, or service.

   The insinuating eloquence and delicate flattery of veteran diplomatists and courtiers.

8. 8
   adj

   Of or relating to former members of the military armed forces, especially those who served during wartime.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French vétéran, from Latin veterānus.