Glossary of Military Terms - Lingo from the Front
Military history has a language all its own, from abatis to ZULU time to an alphabet soup of acronyms. When you need help cutting through the jargon, try this set of resources.
Ace
An ace is a pilot who has been credited with five or more aerial victories.
An ace is a pilot who has been credited with five or more aerial victories.
Antebellum
Antebellum refers to the years prior to the American Civil War in the United States.
Antebellum refers to the years prior to the American Civil War in the United States.
Buccaneer
A buccaneer was a pirate who attacked shipping in the Caribbean, largely in the 17th century.
A buccaneer was a pirate who attacked shipping in the Caribbean, largely in the 17th century.
Chivalry
Chivalry was the code of conduct followed by knights in the Middle Ages.
Chivalry was the code of conduct followed by knights in the Middle Ages.
Containment
Containment was a foreign policy strategy followed by the United States during the Cold War. Containment stated that communism needed to be contained, or it would spread to neighboring countries.
Containment was a foreign policy strategy followed by the United States during the Cold War. Containment stated that communism needed to be contained, or it would spread to neighboring countries.
Copperhead
A Copperhead was a term for Northern opponents of the American Civil War.
A Copperhead was a term for Northern opponents of the American Civil War.
Doughboy
Definition of the term "doughboy" with an examination of the origin of the term.
Definition of the term "doughboy" with an examination of the origin of the term.
Draftee
A draftee is a soldier who is conscripted into military service.
A draftee is a soldier who is conscripted into military service.
Feudalism
Feudalism was a political system utlized in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Feudalism was a political system utlized in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Fighting Top
The fighting top was a platform on the masts of sailing warships from which marines or sailors could fire down upon the decks of enemy vessels.
The fighting top was a platform on the masts of sailing warships from which marines or sailors could fire down upon the decks of enemy vessels.
Free Lance
A free lance was a knight or warrior who was not committed to a feudal lord and could hire themselves out for pay.
A free lance was a knight or warrior who was not committed to a feudal lord and could hire themselves out for pay.
Going Over the Top
Going "over the top" meant climbing over the parapet of one's trenches to attack the enemy during World War I.
Going "over the top" meant climbing over the parapet of one's trenches to attack the enemy during World War I.
Guerre de Course
A strategy of naval warfare, guerre de course calls for a navy to attack the merchant shipping of an enemy with the goal of cutting off supplies and causing economic damage.
A strategy of naval warfare, guerre de course calls for a navy to attack the merchant shipping of an enemy with the goal of cutting off supplies and causing economic damage.
Knight
A knight was a medieval mounted warrior who wore armor.
A knight was a medieval mounted warrior who wore armor.
No Man's Land
No Man's Land was the term given to the area between the opposing trench lines during World War I.
No Man's Land was the term given to the area between the opposing trench lines during World War I.
Prize Crew
A prize crew was a group of men placed aboard a captured vessel in order for it to be sailed to a friendly port.
A prize crew was a group of men placed aboard a captured vessel in order for it to be sailed to a friendly port.
Rebel Yell
The Rebel Yell was high-pitch war cry used by Confederate troops when going into battle.
The Rebel Yell was high-pitch war cry used by Confederate troops when going into battle.
Sepoy
A definition of the term sepoy and its various uses from the 18th to the 20th century.
A definition of the term sepoy and its various uses from the 18th to the 20th century.
Ship of the Line
The standard large warship from the 17th to the 19th century, the ship of the line typically mounted 64 to 110 guns.
The standard large warship from the 17th to the 19th century, the ship of the line typically mounted 64 to 110 guns.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Unrestricted submarine warfare is an approach where submarines sink merchant ships without warning.
Unrestricted submarine warfare is an approach where submarines sink merchant ships without warning.
Weather Gage
The weather gage was a position in the Age of Sail where one ship was upwind of another and able to initiate or break off the action.
The weather gage was a position in the Age of Sail where one ship was upwind of another and able to initiate or break off the action.