late 14c., "one who works only for hire," from Old French mercenaire "mercenary, hireling" (13c.) and directly from Latin mercenarius "one who does anything for pay," literally "hired, paid," from merces (genitive mercedis) "pay, reward, wages," from merx (see market (n.)).
mercenary (adj.)
1530s, from mercenary (n.), or in part from Latin mercenarius "hired, paid, serving for pay."
实用例句
1. They suggest that my motives for proposing reform are self-serving and mercenary.
他们暗示说我之所以提议改革是贪图金钱，想谋取私利。来自柯林斯例句
2. Virtue flies from the heart of a mercenary man.
唯利是图的人胸中没有美德.来自《简明英汉词典》
3. Mercenary men lust for wealth.
唯利是图的人贪求财富.来自《简明英汉词典》
4. James is so mercenary that he'd turn in his own mother for the reward money.
詹姆斯太唯利是图了,他为领取赏钱竟出卖了自己的母亲.来自《简明英汉词典》
5. Though perhaps that is merely a synonym for mercenary.
