veteran

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or capacity: a veteran of political campaigns.
2. n. A person who has served in the armed forces: "Privilege, a token income . . . were allowed for veterans of both world wars” ( Mavis Gallant).
3. n. An old soldier who has seen long service.
4. adj. Having had long experience or practice: a veteran actor.
5. adj. Of or relating to former members of the armed forces: veteran benefits.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. Grown old in service.
2. Hence— Practised and skilful.
3. Entitled to consideration and allowance on account of long service.
4. In milit. matters, practised and accustomed to war, as distinguished from raw, newly enlisted, etc. A veteran soldier is one who has been through one or more campaigns, and has gained the steadiness and confidence which make him a trustworthy soldier.
5. Long-continued; of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a veteran or veterans.
6. n. One long practised, and therefore skilled and trustworthy, or entitled to consideration on account of past services; especially (military), a veteran soldier. See I., 2 .
7. Same as veteranize.

Wiktionary

1. n. A person with long experience of a particular activity.
2. n. A person who has served in the armed forces, especially an old soldier who has seen long service.
3. adj. Having had long experience, practice, or service.
4. adj. Of or relating to former members of the military armed forces, especially those who served during wartime.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. adj. Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced
2. n. One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has had much experience, or has grown old or decrepit in service.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a person who has served in the armed forces
2. adj. rendered competent through trial and experience
3. n. an experienced person who has been through many battles; someone who has given long service
4. n. a serviceman who has seen considerable active service