militant (militant)

[= F. militant = Sp. Pg. It. militante, to warfare or conflict. At which command the powers militant moved on In silence. ... Milton , P. L., vi. 61. 2. Having a combative character or tendency; warlike. The militant nature of legal protection is seen in the fact that... it is a replacing of individual armed force by the armed force of the state, always in reserve if not exercised. H. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., § 522. Church militant. See church . militantly (mil'i-tant-li), adv . In a militant or warlike manner.