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mili

military service

noun MEE-lee Rare
People & Society Military

Origin: Shortened from militar.

Usage Note

Mili is an informal clipping of servicio militar (military service) and was universally used in Spain when conscription was obligatory. Spain suspended compulsory mili in 2001, so the word now has a nostalgic flavour. The phrase hacer la mili means 'to do one's military service'.

Examples

"Mi padre hizo la mili en Sevilla."

Natural Translation

My father did his military service in Seville.

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