veteran
/ˈvɛt(ə)r(ə)n
/noun
1A person who has had long experience in a particular field: a veteran of two world wars [as modifier]: a veteran left-wing MP...
- The new players have provided tough competition to the veterans in the field.
- This veteran found the experience so outlandish that he could not tell anyone about it.
- Separately, however, they were veterans of the festival experience as solo performers.
Synonyms
retired soldier;
old hand, old-timer, old stager;
past master, doyen, authority, master, grandmaster, master hand, expert, virtuoso, maestro
informal pro, ace, hotshot, old warhorse
long-serving, seasoned, mature, old, established;
hardened;
adept, master, expert, consummate, well versed, well trained, practised, experienced, worldly-wise, qualified, proficient, professional
informal battle-scarred, crack, ace, mean
1.1An ex-member of the armed forces: a Vietnam veteran...
- He was one of several MPs from all parties who supported those campaigning for a medal for veterans who served in Egypt.
- Army veterans who served in World War Two have joined the campaign to save their former regiment.
- The description was wholeheartedly endorsed by veterans who served under the Brigadier.
Origin
Early 16th century: from French vétéran or Latin veteranus, from vetus 'old'.
Veteran comes via French from Latin vetus ‘old’, also the source of inveterate (Late Middle English) ‘long-standing’. Vet, the abbreviation, is recorded from the mid 19th century. The other kind of vet, also mid 19th-century, is a shortening of veterinary [18th] from Latin veterinarius, from veterinae ‘cattle’.