n. [ Cf. F. militarisme. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. A military state or condition; a military system; reliance on military force in administering government. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The spirit and traditions of military life. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. The view that military strength, efficiency and values should dominate the country's public policy choices and take precedence over other interests. [ 1913 Webster PJC ] 4. The policy of maintaining a large military force, even in peacetime; -- a term usually used by opponents of such a policy on the assumption that such a large force is unnecessary for national defense. [ PJC ] |