Martial [mahr-shuh l] noun
- Marcus Valerius Martialis, a.d. 43?–104?, Roman epigrammatist, born in Spain.
British Dictionary definitions for marcus-valerius-martialis martial adjective
- of, relating to, or characteristic of war, soldiers, or the military life
Derived Formsmartialism, nounmartialist, nounmartially, adverbmartialness, nounWord Origin for martial C14: from Latin martiālis of Mars 1 Martial 1 adjective
- of or relating to Mars
Martial 2 noun
- full name Marcus Valerius Martialis. ?40–?104 ad, Latin epigrammatist and poet, born in Spain
Word Origin and History for marcus-valerius-martialis martial adj.
late 14c., “warlike,” from Latin martialis “of Mars or war,” from Mars (genitive Martis), Roman god of war; see Mars. Related: Martially. Martial law, “military rule over civilians,” first recorded 1530s.