martial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun Roman poet noted for epigrams (first century BC)
  2. adjective satellite (of persons) befitting a warrior
    soldierlike; warriorlike; soldierly.
    • a military bearing
  3. adjective satellite suggesting war or military life
    warlike.
  4. adjective satellite of or relating to the armed forces
    • martial law

WordNet

Mar"tial adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. martialis of or belonging to Mars, the god of war. Cf. March the month.
Definitions
  1. Of, pertaining to, or suited for, war; military; as, martial music; a martial appearance. "Martial equipage." Milton.
  2. Practiced in, or inclined to, war; warlike; brave.
    But peaceful kings, o'er martial people set, Each other's poise and counterbalance are. Dryden.
  3. Belonging to war, or to an army and navy; -- opposed to civil; as, martial law; a court-martial.
  4. Pertaining to, or resembling, the god, or the planet, Mars. Sir T. Browne.
  5. (Old Chem. & Old Med.) Pertaining to, or containing, iron; chalybeate; as, martial preparations. Archaic Syn. -- Martial, Warlike. Martial refers more to war in action, its array, its attendants, etc.; as, martial music, a martial appearance, a martial array, courts-martial, etc. Warlike describes the feeling or temper which leads to war, and the adjuncts of war; as, a warlike nation, warlike indication, etc. The two words are often used without discrimination.

Webster 1913