Meaning of "mercenario" in the Spanish dictionary

A mercenary is known as that soldier who fights or participates in a war for his economic and personal benefit, usually with little or no consideration in ideology, nationality or political preferences with the side for which he fights. They are usually referred to as hired killers, hit men, etc. However, when this term is used to refer to a soldier of a regular army, it is normally considered an insult to his honor. The soldier, who represents his nation, is willing to fight for a cause that is of his community or country. However, the mercenary does so only for profit. Hence mercenaries are also known as soldiers of fortune. Se conoce como mercenario, a aquel soldado que lucha o participa en un conflicto bélico por su beneficio económico y personal, normalmente con poca o nula consideración en la ideología, nacionalidad o preferencias políticas con el bando para el que lucha. Generalmente se les menciona como asesinos a sueldo, sicarios, etc. Sin embargo, cuando este término se usa para referirse a un soldado de un ejército regular, se considera normalmente un insulto a su honra. El soldado, que representa a su nación, está dispuesto a luchar por una causa que es de su comunidad o país. Sin embargo, el mercenario lo hace solamente con ánimo de lucro. De ahí que a los mercenarios se les conozca también como soldados de fortuna.