GI

or G.I.

[[t]ˈdʒiˈaɪ[/t]] n. pl. GIs GI's or G.I.'s,

1) mil a member or former member of the U.S. armed forces, esp. an enlisted soldier

2) mil rigidly adhering to military regulations and practices

3) mil of a standardized type issued or required by the U.S. armed forces:

GI shoes; a GI haircut[/ex]

4) mil to clean in preparation for inspection:

to GI the barracks[/ex]

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Etymology: 1915–20; orig. abbr. of galvanized iron, used in U.S. Army bookkeeping in entering articles (e.g., trash cans) made of it; later extended to all articles issued (as an assumed abbr. of government issue) and finally to soldiers themselves