militant (adj.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[militant 词源字典]
early 15c., "fighting, engaged in warfare," from Middle French militant "fighting," from Latin militantem (nominative militans), present participle of militare "serve as a soldier" (see militate), originally especially in Church militant. Related: Militantly.[militant etymology, militant origin, 英语词源]
militant (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict
"one engaged in war or strife," c. 1600, from militant (adj.); in a political sense, it is attested by 1907.