† velitaryadj.
Obsolete.
Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, light-armed troops.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > group with special function or duty > [adjective] > organized for rapid movement
volant1548
running1592
velitary1600
expedite1609
flying1665
mobile1879
quick-reaction1961
rapid deployment1967
rapid-reaction1968
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 995 The Consull..had made provision aforehand of great store of darts, light velitarie javelines, arrowes,..and small stones.
1623 J. Bingham tr. Lipsius Compar. Rom. Manner Warre in tr. Xenophon Hist. 5 Surely the most of our men are vnarmed, and what else, but to be compared to velitarie bands?
1632 P. Holland tr. Xenophon Cyrupædia 139 They, who at that time defaited the velitary fight and skirmish of Archers and Javeletiers.
1649 J. Robinson Misc. Propositions Pref. p. iv My intention is..by excursions, in a velitary way, to skirmish with some, whom..I dissent from.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1600- to cut long thongs of other men's hides
- to cut loose
- to draw by
- to draw by one string
- to draw by the ears
- to draw cut
- to draw cuts
- to draw deep
- to draw down
- to draw dry
- to draw dun out of the mire
- to draw eyeteeth
- to draw fire
- to draw fire etc
- to draw fire flak
- to draw forth
- to draw in
- to draw in a line
- to draw in broad strokes
- to draw in consequence
- to draw in one line
- to draw in one's belt
- to draw in one's horns
- to draw in, into, at, or on length
- to draw into