A brave and experienced fighter or soldier, especially one known for exceptional skill and courage in battle.
From Old French 'guerreier' (fighter), derived from 'guerre' (war), which came from Germanic 'werra' meaning 'confusion' or 'strife.' The word traveled through French and into English during the Norman period, acquiring connotations of honor and skill.
The word 'war' itself comes from Germanic words meaning 'confusion' or 'strife'—which is a surprisingly honest description of combat from people who lived it constantly. This shows that even our most martial vocabulary comes from realistic, somewhat cynical observations about what battle actually is.
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