infantry
noun
in·fan·try
ˈin-fən-trē
plural infantries
1
a
: soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight on foot
b
: a branch of an army composed of these soldiers
2
: an infantry regiment or division
Did you know?
The Italian word fante (from Latin infans, “infant, child”) originally meant “child,” later “youth, boy,” and then “servant.” In the 14th century, fante also took on the sense “foot soldier.” In Renaissance times, the fanteria, foot soldiers collectively, became a significant branch of arms, and the Italian word infanteria, was borrowed into English in the 1500s.
Cite this Entry
“Infantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infantry. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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