Erayga "mercenaria" ma laha qaamuus si weyn loo aqoonsan yahay ama la aasaasay oo Ingiriisi ah. Si kastaba ha ahaatee, waxay u egtahay ereyga Laatiinka ee "mercenarius," oo tilmaamaya calooshood u shaqeystayaal ama askari la soo kiraystay oo u shaqeeya lacag-bixin halkii uu ka ahaan lahaa daacadnimo ama waajibaad. Calooshood u shaqeystayaal caadi ahaan waxaa dhiirigeliya faa'iido lacageed waxaana laga yaabaa inay adeegyadooda u fidiyaan loo-shaqeeyayaal ama sababo kala duwan.