Dictionary

bonsai army en · NOUN

Etymology

In reference to the small size and decorative nature of bonsai plants.

Meanings

1. A sovereign state's army or military force that is too small to fundamentally protect the country, and could be considered to exist merely "for decoration".
   • Without Soviet support surrounding the missile crisis, Cuba's military would have been merely a bonsai army and they would have quickly succumbed to any serious invasion from the west.
2. A tiny, largely-ornamental (military) structure bereft of the capability to effectively carry out its constitutional missions.
3. A military that covers the entire spectrum of capabilities, but has virtually no external military clout.

Forms