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Militants from WikiPedia:

The word militant, which is both an adjective and a noun, comes from the 15th Century Latin "militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier". The related modern concept of the militia as a defensive organization against invaders grew out of the Anglo-Saxon "fyrd". In times of crisis, the militiaman left his civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his civilian occupation and life.

Militant, as a noun, is used as a term for warriors who do not belong to an established government military organization. It can also be used as a euphemism for the word terrorist. (For more on this, see mass media usage below.) In general usage, a militant person is a confrontational person, regardless of the use of physical violence or pacifistic methods.

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