Part 462

SOCKET of a bayonet. The round hollow part near the bent or heel of a bayonet, into which the muzzle of a firearm is received when the bayonet is fixed.

SODS, pieces of turf with which works are faced.

SOVAN, or Savan, Ind. The seventh month. It in some degree corresponds with July and August.

SOL, Fr. Soil; ground.

SOLAKS. Bowmen or archers belonging to the personal guard of the grand signor. They are always selected from the most expert bowmen that are among the janizaries. Their only arms are, the sabre, bow, and arrows.

SOLBATU, Fr. In farriery, surbated.

SOLDAN. This word is pronounced Soudan. It was formerly given to a general who commanded the califf’s army. Saladin, a general under Naradin, king of Damas, having killed the califf Kaym, usurped the throne, and assumed the title in 1146; so that he became the first Soldan of Egypt.

SOLDAT, Fr. See SOLDIER.

SOLDAT d’ordonnance à l’armée, Fr. An orderly man.

SOLDATESQUE, Fr. A substantive of the collective feminine gender, which signifies private soldiers, viz.

La Bourgeoisie était exposée aux insultes de la soldatesque; the citizens were exposed to the insults of the soldiery. La soldatesque s’est révoltée contre les officiers; the soldiers revolted or mutinied against the officers.

SOLDATESQUE is likewise used as an adjective, viz. Des mœurs soldatesque; the ways or manners of a private soldier. Une dispute soldatesque; a military broil or a dispute among private soldiers. We have an adjective which is derived from the same source, namely, soldier-like, but which is only taken in a good sense with us, as soldier-like conduct, soldier-like behaviour; unsoldier-like being the opposite.

SOLDATS étrangers ou Mercénaires, Fr. Foreign or mercenary troops.

SOLDATS de Marine, Fr. Marines, or soldiers, who do duty on board ships of war.

SOLDATS Gardiens, Fr. A description of invalid soldiers, so called during the French monarchy. They were stationed at the sea-ports. There were 300 at Toulon, ditto at Rochefort and Brest, and fifty at Havre-de-Grace. There were besides 300 in each of the first three ports, who received half-pay.

SOLDE, Fr. The pay and subsistence, &c. which are issued to officers and soldiers are so called.

Demie SOLDE, Fr. Half pay. The French likewise say--à demie paye--On half-pay.

SOLDIER, A piece of money; the pay of a soldier. Dr. Johnson derives the word from solidarius, low Latin of solidus. We conceive it to be immediately taken from the French soldat, which comes from the Latin solidarius Veget. A soldier in pay--a solido quem meretur. Some again trace both the English and French word to the Italian Soldato, and others to the German Soldat. Sola in German signifies pay. So that originally soldier meant only one who listed himself to serve a prince or state, in consideration of certain daily pay.

SOLDIER now generally signifies any military man.

Private SOLDIER, a man in the ranks; one under the degree of a corporal; as distinct from the commanders.

A real SOLDIER, a term among military men to mark out one who knows and does his duty.

No SOLDIER. An expression of familiar currency in the British service. It is sometimes used as a term of reproach, and sometimes of harmless irony; as “you are a dirty fellow and no soldier.”

Citizen SOLDIER, (Soldat citoyen, Fr.) In a general acceptation of the term, a citizen soldier signifies any man who is armed for the support and vindication of his country’s rights.

A Brother SOLDIER. A term of affection which is commonly used in the British service by one who serves under the same banners, and fights for the same cause with another. In a more extensive signification, it means any military man with respect to another.

SOLDIER of Fortune, (Soldat de Fortune, Fr.) During the frequent wars which occurred in Italy, before the military profession became so generally prevalent in Europe, it was usual for men of enterprise and reputation to offer their services to the different states that were engaged. They were originally called Condottieri, or leaders of reputation. They afterwards extended their services, and under the title of soldiers of fortune sought for employment in every country or state that would pay them.

SOLDIER’S Friend. A term in the military service which is generally applied to such officers as pay the strictest attention to their men; granting them seasonable indulgences without injuring the service; seeing their wants relieved; and, above all things, having them punctually paid and regularly settled with. There is much confidence in the multitude when they are justly dealt by, and every soldier fights well under the guidance of a soldier’s friend!

SOLDIER Officer. A term generally used among naval men to signify any officer belonging to the land service.

SOLDIERSHIP, (Metier de soldat, Fr.) The profession, character, and qualities of a military man.