vbl. sb. [f. the vb.]
1. The action of serving as a soldier; the state of being a soldier; military service.
1697. J. Lewis, Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789), 59. On a sudden he left off his soldiering, and must needs take to managing a wooden horse.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 199. This was my second essay at the trade of soldiering.
1806. Ann. Rev., IV. 244. The resistance of the quakers to soldiering and to tythes.
1857. S. Osborn, Quedah, xvii. 227. He could handle a musket with all the innate love of soldiering of an Irishman.
1884. Truth, 13 March, 372/1. His trade was soldiering, and … he has distinguished himself in his profession.
attrib. 1643. [Angier], Lanc. Vall. Achor, 11. God kept up the Souldiering spirit, by Prayers and Psalms.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 14 Aug., 4/2. Setting down his soldiering experiences with his old corps.
1888. G. A. Henty, Cornet of Horse, xvi. 161. I think this soldiering life makes one restless.
2. Malingering, shirking.
1894. E. R. L. Gould, in Forum (N.Y.), (N.Y.), June, 504. There could be no ‘sojering.’ Inattention and neglect were at the expense of the worker.
