kareivis

Borrowed from Lithuanian kareĩvis, introduced into Latvian by Juris Alunāns. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it meant mostly “warrior” (like German Krieger), after which it became increasingly used in the sense of “soldier” (previously expressed only by the Germanism zaldāts).[1]

• IPA^(key): [kaɾɛ̄īvis]

kareivis m (2nd declension)

1. soldier, private (the first (lowest) rank in the army; a soldier of this rank)

   sardzes kareivis ― watch (lit. watch soldier)

   kareivja formas tērps ― soldier's uniform

2. soldier, warrior in general

   diženais kareivis aizauļo zirgā ― the great warrior galloped away on a horse

3. (figuratively) soldier, fighter (for a cause, ideal, etc.)

   mākslas kritiķis ir kareivis, kas cīnās par mākslas progresu ― the art critic is a soldier who fights for the progress of art

• cīnītājs, cīnītāja
• karavīrs
• (dated term) zaldāts