What is "standing army"

Standing \Stand"ing\, a.

1. Remaining erect; not cut down; as, standing corn.

2. Not flowing; stagnant; as, standing water.

3. Not transitory; not liable to fade or vanish; lasting; as, a standing color.

4. Established by law, custom, or the like; settled; continually existing; permanent; not temporary; as, a standing army; legislative bodies have standing rules of proceeding and standing committees.

5. Not movable; fixed; as, a standing bed (distinguished from a trundle-bed). Standing army. See Standing army, under Army. Standing bolt. See Stud bolt, under Stud, a stem. Standing committee, in legislative bodies, etc., a committee appointed for the consideration of all subjects of a particular class which shall arise during the session or a stated period. Standing cup, a tall goblet, with a foot and a cover. Standing finish (Arch.), that part of the interior fittings, esp. of a dwelling house, which is permanent and fixed in its place, as distinguished from doors, sashes, etc. Standing order

   1. (Eccl.), the denomination (Congregational) established by law; -- a term formerly used in Connecticut. See also under Order. (a) (Com.) an order for goods which are to be delivered periodically, without the need for renewal of the order before each delivery.

      Standing part. (Naut.) (a) That part of a tackle which is made fast to a block, point, or other object.

   2. That part of a rope around which turns are taken with the running part in making a knot or the like.

      Standing rigging (Naut.), the cordage or ropes which sustain the masts and remain fixed in their position, as the shrouds and stays, -- distinguished from running rigging.

Army \Ar"my\, n. [F. arm['e]e, fr. L. armata, fem. of armatus, p. p. of armare to arm. Cf. Armada.]

1. A collection or body of men armed for war, esp. one organized in companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions, under proper officers.

2. A body of persons organized for the advancement of a cause; as, the Blue Ribbon Army.

3. A great number; a vast multitude; a host.

   An army of good words.
   --Shak.

   Standing army, a permanent army of professional soldiers, as distinguished from militia or volunteers.

n. A professional permanent army composed of full-time career soldiers, and not disbanded during times of peace.

n. a permanent army of paid soldiers

A standing army is a permanent, often professional, army. It is composed of full-time soldiers (who may be either career soldiers or conscripts) and is not disbanded during times of peace. It differs from army reserves, who are enrolled for the long term, but activated only during wars or natural disasters, and temporary armies, which are raised from the civilian population only during a war or threat of war and disbanded once the war or threat is over. Standing armies tend to be better equipped, better trained, and better prepared for emergencies, defensive deterrence, and particularly, wars. The term dates from approximately 1600, although the phenomenon it describes is much older.

Standing Army, directed by Enrico Parenti and Thomas Fazi, is a 2010 documentary film about the global network of U.S. military bases, the impact that these have on local populations, and the military-industrial complex that lies behind it.