noun
militia
muh-LIH-shuh
noun
1
A group of ordinary citizens organised to act as soldiers, usually only called up in an emergency rather than serving as a full-time professional army.
"Local farmers formed a militia to defend the town."
"The rebels were little more than a poorly equipped militia."
How to Use Militia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA part-time or volunteer fighting force made up of ordinary people, rather than professional soldiers.
Common pairings
armed militia
militia group
form a militia
Word Forms
militias plural, militiae plural
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Local farmers formed a _____ to defend the town.
Etymology
From Latin mīlitia, "military service," from mīles, "soldier."