in British naval and military affairs, denotes a voluntary engagement to serve as a private soldier or sailor. The term of service in the army may be either indefinite, as during the continuance of a war, or for a fixed period; which period varies in the different classes of troops. In the infantry, this period cannot exceed ten years; in the cavalry, artillery, or other ordnance corps, twelve years; and in the East India Company's service it may be either indefinite, or for twelve years. In each case, if the recruit be under eighteen years of age, his term of service is to be reckoned from the day of his attaining that age. The term of enlistment in the marine forces is limited to twelve years. (See acts 10th and 11th Vict., cap. 39.)

In the British navy, according to an act passed in 1835, a man is allowed to enlist for a period not exceeding five