Noncombatants

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who are not participants in military engagements during conflicts
2. Persons who do not take part in armed conflicts or battles and are not engaged in military activities
3. Those who remain uninvolved in fighting or hostilities during times of war or military operations

Etymology: "Noncombatant" is formed from the prefix "non-" ("not") and "combatant," which comes from French "combattant," the present participle of "combattre" ("to fight"), itself from Late Latin "combattere," a compound of "com-" ("together") and "battuere" ("to beat"). A combatant, then, is literally one who beats or fights alongside others. The plural "noncombatants" is simply the noun form of "noncombatant," used to name civilians, medical staff, chaplains and others who are excluded from fighting. The idea that protected people should be distinguished from those who fight is old, and the term grew up with the laws of war that rely on the distinction.

Synonyms: civilians, nonfighters

Antonyms: combatants