army

/ahr"mee/, n., pl. armies.

1. the military forces of a nation, exclusive of the navy and in some countries the air force.

2. (in large military land forces) a unit consisting typically of two or more corps and a headquarters.

3. a large body of persons trained and armed for war.

4. any body of persons organized for any purpose: an army of census takers.

5. a very large number or group of something; a great multitude; a host: the army of the unemployed.

[1350-1400; ME armee < MF < L armata. Cf. ARMADA]

* * *

I

Large, organized force armed and trained for war, especially on land.

The term may be applied to a large unit organized for independent action or to a nation's or ruler's overall military organization for land warfare. The character and organization of armies have varied through history. At various times armies have been built around infantry soldiers or mounted warriors (e.g., cavalry) or men in machines, and have been made up of professionals or amateurs, of mercenaries fighting for pay or for plunder, or of patriots fighting for a cause. See also air force, conscription, guerrilla, military unit, militia, U.S. Army.

II

(as used in expressions)

Armenian Secret Army to Liberate Armenia

Red Army Faction

Bonus Army

Coxey's Army

Irish Republican Army

Malayan People's Anti Japanese Army

New Model Army

People's Liberation Army

Red Army

Salvation Army

United States Army

Women's Army Corps

* * *

 a large organized force armed and trained for war, especially on land. The term may be applied to a large unit organized for independent action, or it may be applied to a nation's or ruler's complete military organization for land warfare.

      Throughout history, the character and organization of armies have changed. Social and political aspects of nations at different periods resulted in revision in the makeup of armies. New weapons influenced the nature of warfare and the organization of armies. At various times armies have been built around infantry soldiers or mounted warriors or men in machines. They have been made up of professionals or amateurs, of mercenaries fighting for pay or for plunder, or of patriots fighting for a cause. Consideration of the development of armies must be made in the light of the times in which the particular army was forged and the campaigns that it fought.

      Armies and warfare are treated in a number of articles in the Macropaedia. For general considerations of armies and warfare, see War, Theory and Conduct of (war); War, Technology of (military technology). For the history of major modern conflicts, see World Wars (World War I); international relations; European History and Culture (Europe, history of). See also the Index for individual wars, battles, and other military subjects and for individual countries and their histories.

* * *