"veteran" in the noun sense
1. veteran, veteran soldier
a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
"the veterans laughed at the new recruits"
2. veteran, vet, ex-serviceman
a person who has served in the armed forces
3. veteran, old-timer, oldtimer, old hand, warhorse, old stager, stager
an experienced person who has been through many battles someone who has given long service
"veteran" in the adjective sense
1. seasoned, veteran
rendered competent through trial and experience
"a seasoned traveler"
"veteran steadiness"
"a veteran officer"
Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)
Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.
View WordNet® License