Söldner

mercenary

noun ZOELD-ner Rare

Origin: from Sold, soldier's pay

Usage Note

Söldner is a mercenary, a soldier fighting for pay rather than allegiance, from Sold (military wages), which also underlies Soldat. Historically the Landsknechte were famous Söldner. The plural is unchanged.

Examples

"Der Fürst heuerte ausländische Söldner an."

Natural Translation

The prince hired foreign mercenaries.

Literal Translation

The prince hired foreign mercenaries on.

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