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Webster 1913 Edition

Militia

Mi-li′tia

,
Noun.
[L., military service, soldiery, fr.
miles
,
militis
, soldier: cf. F.
milice
.]
1.
In the widest sense, the whole military force of a nation, including both those engaged in military service as a business, and those competent and available for such service; specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for military instruction and discipline, but not subject to be called into actual service except in emergencies.
The king’s captains and soldiers fight his battles, and yet . . . the power of the
militia
is he.
Jer. Taylor.
2.
Military service; warfare.
[Obs.]
Baxter.

Webster 1828 Edition

Militia

MILI'TIA

,
Noun.
[L. from miles, a soldier; Gr. war, to fight, combat, contention. The primary sense of fighting is to strive, struggle, drive, or to strike, to beat, Eng. moil, L. molior; Heb. to labor or toil.] The body of soldiers in a state enrolled for discipline, but not engaged in actual service except in emergencies; as distinguished from regular troops, whose sole occupation is war or military service. The militia of a country are the able bodied men organized into companies, regiments and brigades,with officers of all grades, and required by law to attend military exercises on certain days only, but at other times left to pursue their usual occupations.

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