noun
legionnaire
leed-zhuh-NEH-uh
noun
1
A member of a legion, particularly the French Foreign Legion, a famous unit historically open to foreign recruits.
"The legionnaire had served five years before returning home."
"He joined the Foreign Legion and became a legionnaire at nineteen."
How to Use Legionnaire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who serves as a soldier in a legion, especially the French Foreign Legion.
Common mistake
Most people now meet this word through "Legionnaires' disease" (a type of pneumonia), named after an outbreak at a 1976 American Legion convention — it has nothing to do with the French military.
Common pairings
French Foreign Legion legionnaire
legionnaire's disease
Word Forms
legionnaires plural
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The _____ had served five years before returning home.
Etymology
Borrowed from French légionnaire, from légion, "legion".