a. Obs. [ad. L. vēlitāris, f. vēlit-, vēles: see VELITES.] Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, light-armed troops.
1600. Holland, Livy, 995. The Consull … had made provision aforehand of great store of darts, light velitarie javelines, arrowes,… and small stones.
1623. Bingham, Lipsius’s Comparison Xenophon, 5. Surely the most of our men are vnarmed, and what else, but to be compared to velitarie bands?
1632. Holland, Cyrupædia, 139. They, who at that time defaited the velitary fight and skirmish of Archers and Javeletiers.
1649. J. Robinson, Misc. Propositions, Pref. p. iv. My intention is … by excursions, in a velitary way, to skirmish with some, whom … I dissent from.
