Literary notes about militant (AI summary)
In literature, “militant” is used to evoke a sense of unwavering commitment and assertive resolve across various contexts. It characterizes individuals and groups who, whether in civic duty or religious service, are imbued with an unyielding spirit—for instance, individuals dedicated to noncombatant roles [1] or members of a resolutely fighting church [2, 3, 4]. The word also accentuates passionate personal drives, as seen in a fervid prophecy [5] or a love expressed with an almost combative intensity [6]. Moreover, it provides a powerful descriptor for political and cultural movements, underscoring the relentless energy of those who press for reform [7, 8, 9, 10] or even represent the militant strain of national, industrial, or social activism [11]. In all these usages, “militant” functions as a multifaceted term that not only signals readiness for ideological or literal battle but also enriches characters and ideas with a forceful, defiant quality [12, 13].
- They are militant citizens now, with the rank of noncombatants .
— from The Women of Tomorrow by William Hard - At midnight, we would rise to sing praises to God, and to intercede for the whole state of Christ's militant Church here on earth.
— from The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume 1 (of 2) by L. (Luke) Tyerman - So does the Lord deal with His children in the Catholic Church Militant: those whom He sees worthy to serve Him in godliness and spiritual goodness
— from Wild Wales: Its People, Language and Scenery by George Borrow - The caballero of Seville aspired to join the Church Militant, or to enter the army.
— from The Story of Seville by Walter M. (Walter Matthew) Gallichan - That day Phillips was the prophet militant.
— from The Bull-Run RoutScenes Attending the First Clash of Volunteers in the Civil War by E. H. (Edward Henry) Clement - She had to love him with a militant love.
— from The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad - The speakers at the preliminary meetings, especially Mr. Snowden and Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, were greatly interrupted by militant suffragists.
— from The Annual Register 1914A Review of Public Events at Home and Abroad for the Year 1914 by Anonymous - It was certainly not by physical force—even the militant suffragettes did not rebel, though they burnt houses, broke statues, and harried politicians.
— from The Issue: The Case for Sinn Fein by Lector - The essence of that movement was militant nationalism.
— from The Balkans: A History of Bulgaria—Serbia—Greece—Rumania—Turkey by Arnold Toynbee - When a language group becomes militant and self-conscious, it assumes the character of a nationality.
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park - During the first five years of this century the idea of militant industrial unionism underwent rapid development.
— from The I. W. W.: A Study of American Syndicalism by Paul F. (Paul Frederick) Brissenden - Against rationalism as a pretension and a method, pragmatism is fully armed and militant.
— from Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James - Under peaceful conditions the militant man attacks himself.
— from Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
