veteran (
http://definr.com/veteran)
adj 1: rendered competent through trial and experience; "troops
seasoned in combat"; "a seasoned traveler"; "veteran
steadiness"; "a veteran officer" [syn:
seasoned,
veteran(a)]
2: relating to or characteristic of or available to a veteran
or veterans; "veteran benefits"
n 1: a serviceman who has seen considerable active service; "the
veterans laughed at the new recruits" [syn: {veteran
soldier}]
2: a person who has served in the armed forces [syn:
vet,
ex-serviceman]
3: an experienced person; someone who has given long service
[syn:
old-timer,
old hand,
warhorse,
old stager,
stager]