Exploring the Word ‘Mercenary’ for the GRE
This video explores the word ‘mercenary’, its meaning, history, and usage as both a noun and an adjective. It provides examples and discusses common errors to help expand your vocabulary for the GRE exam.
Throughout history, soldiers who fought not for loyalty or patriotism, but for money, have played significant roles in conflicts worldwide.
These fighters for hire are known by a specific term that has found its way into our everyday language.
Today, we’re exploring the word mercenary, an essential vocabulary item for those preparing for the GRE.
Word type: Mercenary can function as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it’s pronounced MUR-suh-nair-ee.
As an adjective, the pronunciation remains the same.
Meaning: As a noun, a mercenary is a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army or other military organization, typically motivated by financial gain rather than loyalty to a particular country or cause.
As an adjective, mercenary describes someone or something motivated primarily by the desire for money or material gain, often at the expense of ethics or other considerations.
Word history: The term mercenary has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word mercenarius, meaning hired or paid.
This, in turn, derives from merces, meaning wages or pay. The word entered the English language in the fourteenth century, initially referring to someone who works merely for money.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for mercenary include altruistic, selfless, philanthropic, and idealistic. These words represent motivations and behaviors that are opposite to the self-interested nature implied by mercenary.
Synonyms: Synonyms for mercenary include hired gun, soldier of fortune, and freelancer when used as a noun.
As an adjective, some synonyms are greedy, materialistic, profit-driven, and venal.
Examples use in sentences:
As a noun: The small nation, lacking a standing army, relied on mercenaries to defend its borders during the conflict.
As an adjective: Her decision to switch companies for a higher salary was seen as mercenary by her former colleagues who valued loyalty.
The politician’s mercenary approach to governance, always favoring policies that benefited his wealthy donors, eventually led to his downfall.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is using mercenary solely in its military context. While this is a primary meaning, it’s important to remember that mercenary can be used more broadly to describe any person or action motivated primarily by money.
Another error is confusing mercenary with missionary. While both can refer to people working in foreign lands, their motivations are entirely different.
In conclusion, understanding the word mercenary and its various applications is valuable for expanding your vocabulary and preparing for the GRE.
Its dual use as both a noun and an adjective, along with its rich historical context, makes it a versatile and important word to master.
Remember, in the context of the GRE, being mercenary about expanding your vocabulary might just pay off in higher scores.
