army
ˈɑːrmi
noun
Origin
Latin
armata — armed; an armed force
Overview
Meaning Now
- A large, organized body of armed personnel trained for land warfare.
- A large number or group of people or things, often implying purpose or movement.
Literal older meaning
the act of arming
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
armie
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term evolved from the Latin 'armata', which transitioned through Old French 'armée' to describe a mobilized military force. Historically, it distinguished a professional force from a mere levy or militia.
Evolution
- Latin
armata
“armed”
Past participle of armare (to arm).
- Old French
armée
“armed force”
Feminine past participle used as a noun.
- Middle English
armie
“military force”
Adopted into Middle English as a military term.
- Modern English
army
“military force or large group”
Standardized spelling and expanded metaphorical use.
Connections
Word parts
arm
root
weapon or tool
-y
suffix
forms a noun of condition or state
Related across languages
French
armée
army
Spanish
armada
fleet or navy
Italian
armata
army
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Related to army
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.