militia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
    reserves.
  2. noun the entire body of physically fit civilians eligible by law for military service
    • their troops were untrained militia
    • Congress shall have power to provide for calling forth the militia"--United States Constitution

WordNet

Mi*li"tia noun
Etymology
L., military service, soldiery, fr. miles, militis, soldier: cf. F. milice.
Definitions
  1. 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 emergencies.
    The king's captains and soldiers fight his battles, and yet... the power of the militia is he. Jer. Taylor.
  2. Military service; warfare. Obs. Baxter.

Webster 1913