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徒卒 (とそつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

徒と卒そつ

Meanings

1

noun

foot soldier; footman

Historical term for a low-ranking foot soldier in pre-modern armies. Not used in modern military contexts.

戦せん国ごく時じ代だい、徒と卒そつは槍やりや弓ゆみで武ぶ装そうしていた。
In the Warring States period, foot soldiers were armed with spears and bows.

Kanji

徒on foot, junior, emptiness
卒graduate, soldier, private

Similar words

歩ほ兵へい
Modern term for infantry; 徒卒 is an archaic equivalent.
足あし軽がる
Common historical term for light foot soldiers; 徒卒 is a more formal or literary synonym.

Etymology

Composed of 徒 (on foot, empty-handed) and 卒 (soldier). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with low-ranking foot soldiers.