1. Roman law. Members of the military; soldiers.
2. Hist. Knights who are part of the royal army, by virtue of feudal tenure.
“[Knights] are also called in our law milites, because they formed a part of the royal army, in virtue of their feodal tenures; one condition of which was, that every one who held a knight’s fee immediately under the crown … was obliged to be knighted and attend the king in his wars, or fine[d] for his non-compliance.” 1 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 404 (1765).
3. Scots law. Freeholders holding estates from barons for military service.
