The
English word
militant is both an
adjective and a
noun, and is usually used to mean vigorously
active, combative and
aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in 'militant reformers'. It comes from the 15th century
Latin "
militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier". The related modern concept of the
militia as a defensive organization against invaders grew out of the Anglo-Saxon
fyrd. In times of crisis, the
militiaman left his civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his civilian occupation.