5. (Zoöl.) One of the asexual polymorphic forms of white ants, or
termites, in which the head and jaws are very large and strong. The
soldiers serve to defend the nest. See Termite.
Soldier beetle (Zoöl.), an American carabid beetle (Chauliognathus
Americanus) whose larva feeds upon other insects, such as the plum
curculio. -- Soldier bug (Zoöl.), any hemipterous insect of the genus
Podisus and allied genera, as the spined soldier bug (Podius spinosus).
These bugs suck the blood of other insects. -- Soldier crab (Zoöl.) (a)
The hermit crab. (b) The fiddler crab. -- Soldier fish (Zoöl.), a
bright-colored etheostomoid fish (Etheostoma cœruleum) found in the
Mississippi River; -- called also blue darter, and rainbow darter. --
Soldier fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous
flies of the genus Stratyomys and allied genera. They are often bright
green, with a metallic luster, and are ornamented on the sides of the
back with markings of yellow, like epaulets or shoulder straps. --
Soldier moth (Zoöl.), a large geometrid moth (Euschema militaris),
having the wings bright yellow with bluish black lines and spots. --
Soldier orchis (Bot.), a kind of orchis (Orchis militaris).
Sol"dier, v. i. 1. To serve as a soldier.
2. To make a pretense of doing something, or of performing any task.
[Colloq.U.S.]
In this sense the vulgar pronounciation (s"jr) is jocosely preserved.
It needs an opera glass to discover whether the leaders are
pulling, or only soldiering.