1.a. A person with long experience in military service or warfare. Also in figurative contexts. Than spake the lady fayre dame charyte Welcome vertue the noble veteran. , Example of Vertu sig. ff.iiiv The sturdy knight well named fortytude With the noble veterane syr consuetude. , Pastime of Pleasure (1928) xxviii. 131 M. Varro captaine to a great number of Veteranes, did hold a forcelet. , Hist. Coll. Continuall Factions 132 Veterans, old soldiers. Table of Hard Words in S. Pordage, translation of T.
