MERCENARY (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. mercenarius, from merces,

See also:

• REWARD

reward, gain)  , one who serves or acts solely for motives of personal gain, particularly a soldier who offers himself for service in any army which may hire him . The name is sometimes used as a term of reproach by nations who raise their armies by conscription, of armies raised by voluntary enlistment whose members are paid a more or less living wage .