soldiering, vbl. n.
(ˈsəʊldʒərɪŋ)
[f. the vb.]
1. The action of serving as a soldier; the state of being a soldier; military service.
| 1697 J. Lewis Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789) 59 On a sudden he left off his soldiering, and must needs take to managing a wooden horse. 1722 De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 199 This was my second essay at the trade of soldiering. 1806 Ann. Rev. IV. 244 The resistance of the quakers to soldiering and to tythes. 1857 S. Osborn Quedah xvii. 227 He could handle a musket with all the innate love of soldiering of an Irishman. 1884 Truth 13 Mar. 372/1 His trade was soldiering, and..he has distinguished himself in his profession. |
| attrib. 1643 [Angier] Lanc. Vall. Achor 11 God kept up the Souldiering spirit, by Prayers and Psalms. 1884 Pall Mall G. 14 Aug. 4/2 Setting down his soldiering experiences with his old corps. 1888 Henty Cornet of Horse xvi. 161, I think this soldiering life makes one restless. |
2. Malingering, shirking.
| 1840 R. H. Dana Two Yrs. before Mast xii. 91 ‘Sogering’ was the order of the day. 1849 H. Melville Redburn I. xii. 118 Sailors were always bitter against any thing like sogering..though this Jackson was a notorious old soger the whole voyage. 1894 Forum (N.Y.) June 504 There could be no ‘sojering’. Inattention and neglect were at the expense of the worker. |