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Engaged in warfare; fighting; combating; serving as a soldier. -- Mil"i*tant*ly, adv. At which command the powers militant... Moved on in silence. Milton. Church militant, the Christian church on earth, which is supposed to be engaged in a constant warfare against its enemies, and is thus distinguished from the church…

Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs of war; as, a military parade; military discipline; military bravery; military conduct; military renown. Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men. Shak.

In the widest sense, the whole military force of a nation, including both those engaged in military service as a business, and those competent and available for such service; specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for military instruction and discipline, but not subject to be called into actual service except in e…

One who mines; a digger for metals, etc.; one engaged in the business of getting ore, coal, or precious stones, out of the earth; one who digs military mines; as, armies have sappers and miners.

To preside as a moderator. Dr. Barlow [was] engaged ... to moderate for him in the divinity disputation. Bp. Barlow's Remains (1693).

In Ireland, one of a band that engaged in agrarian outrages by night.

A person engaged in illicit distilling; -- so called because the work is largely done at night. [Cant, U.S.]

the verb to muck"rake`, in the above sense, and the noun muck"rak`er, to designate one so engaged, were speedily coined and obtained wide currency. The original allusion was to a character in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him.…

of Indians inhabiting New Mexico and Arizona, allied to the Apaches. They are now largely engaged in agriculture.

Not engaged on either side; not taking part with or assisting either of two or more contending parties; neuter; indifferent. The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other. Shaftesbury.

The state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side; indifference. Men who possess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow subjects. Addison.

One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer. The observed of all observers. Shak. Careful observers may foretell the hour, By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower. Swift.

Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an engagement.

In different circumstances; under other conditions; as, I am engaged, otherwise I would accept.

One who engaged in the contests of the pancratium.

The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy.

One engaged in the scientific measurement of light.

Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer. South.

One who is engaged in the actual use or exercise of any art or profession, particularly that of law or medicine. Crabbe.

nce, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have the attention and interest strongly engaged. "The courser . . . pricks up his ears." Dryden.