Definition of militant

The origin of the word "militant" can be traced back to the Latin word 'militāns,' which literally means "pertaining to a soldier or military service." The Latin root, 'mīlit-,' is made up of 'mīlīt-' meaning 'military' and the suffix '-āns' denoting 'pertaining to.' In medieval Europe, the term "militant" was used to describe Christians who dedicated themselves to fighting and defeating non-believers, also known as the Crusades. Therefore, people who displayed a similar level of rigorous dedication to a specific cause, religious or secular, were then labeled 'militant.' The modern connotation of the word, however, is not entirely positive. "Militant" is commonly used to describe individuals or groups that aggressively promote or pursue their beliefs through direct action or violence, often without regard for legal or moral constraints. This use of the word was popularized during the late 1960s and early 1970s by radical political activists who employed militant tactics in the pursuit of their goals. In summary, the origin of the word "militant" lies in the Latin word 'militāns,' which has evolved over time to mean someone who is strongly committed to a particular cause, especially one that favors the use of force to achieve that purpose.