martial

Martial is an adjective used to denote things related to war or the military. The term derives from the Latin martialis, originally meaning “of Mars,” the Roman god of war. In English, it has come to describe warlike qualities, military institutions, or activities connected with warfare.

Common uses include martial law, in which military authorities assume ordinary civilian governance in response to emergencies, and martial arts, a broad category of codified combat practices with historical and cultural traditions. Academically and culturally, martial can describe dispositions or aesthetics associated with disciplined, combat-related activity, such as martial prowess or martial music. The phrase martial arts distinguishes these practices from general sports by emphasizing tradition, philosophy, and technique.

In legal and political contexts, martial is often contrasted with civilian authority and is typically invoked during emergencies, occupations, or states of heightened security. Organizations may use the term in names or rhetoric to convey discipline or readiness, though its meaning remains primarily generic rather than tied to a specific doctrine or institution.

Overall, martial functions as a versatile descriptor in prose and reference texts, appearing in discussions of law, history, culture, and sport. See also: war, military, warfare, martial arts, martial law, Mars.