Definitions

Frequently these days terms are used incorrectly out of ignorance or in a deliberate attempt to mischaracterize a person, group or event. The former instance may be the result of sloppiness or laziness, the latter instance is intellectually dishonest.

Words are misused so frequently that the popular understanding of them takes on a wholly incorrect meaning.

Herewith a few terms and their actual meaning, culled from various reputable sources:

Terror - violence (as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands

Terrorism - the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

Terrorist - one who employs terrorism in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands

Insurgent - a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government

Combatant - a person who fights in a war

Freedom fighter - a person who uses violent methods to try to remove a government from power

Militant - active, determined and often willing to use force

Mercenary - a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them

Draft – (1) The compulsory enrollment for service in a country's armed forces. (2) A system for, or the act of, selecting individuals from a group for compulsory military service.

Draft dodger - One who was called to service through the draft mechanism, but intentionally avoided their duty to serve in the military.