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Added 9 October 2026

martial

/ˈmɑːʃəl/ noun

In Latin: bellax Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about martial at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Roman poet noted for epigrams (first century BC).

adjective

(of persons) befitting a warrior.
a military bearing
Suggesting war or military life.
Of or relating to the armed forces.
martial law

Origin

From Middle English martial, marcial, mercial, mercialle (“relating to war, warlike; military; for use in fighting or warfare; brave, hardy; combative, fierce; ruthless, vicious; domineering, overbearing”), from Middle French martial (modern French martial (“martial”)), or directly from its etymon Latin mārtiālis (“of or pertaining to Mars, the Roman god of war”), from Mārtius (“of or pertaining to Mars”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship). The English word is cognate with Italian marziale (“martial”), Portuguese marcial (“martial”), Spanish marcial (“martial”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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