Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Troop?

\Troop\, n. See {Boy scout}, above.
\Troop\, v. t. {To troop the} {colors or colours} (Mil.), in the British army, to perform a ceremony consisting essentially in carrying the colors, accompained by the band and escort, slowly before the troops drawn up in single file and usually in a hollow square, as in London on the sovereign's birthday. Trooper \Troop"er\, n. A mounted policeman. [Australia] Note: The {black troopers} of Queensland are a regiment of aboriginal police, employed chiefly for dispersing wild aborigines who encroach on sheep runs.
\Troop\, n. [F. troupe, OF. trope, trupe, LL. troppus; of uncertain origin; cf. Icel. [thorn]orp a hamlet, village, G. dorf a village, dial. G. dorf a meeting. Norw. torp a little farm, a crowd, E. thorp. Cf. {Troupe}.] 1. A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude. That which should accompany old age -- As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends -- I must not look to have. --Shak. 2. Soldiers, collectively; an army; -- now generally used in the plural. Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars. --Shak. His troops moved to victory with the precision of machines. --Macaulay. 3. (Mil.) Specifically, a small body of cavalry, light horse, or dragoons, consisting usually of about sixty men, commanded by a captain; the unit of formation of cavalry, corresponding to the company in infantry. Formerly, also, a company of horse artillery; a battery. 4. A company of stageplayers; a troupe. --W. Coxe. 5. (Mil.) A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.
\Troop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Trooped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Trooping}.] 1. To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops. ``Armies . . . troop to their standard.'' --Milton. 2. To march on; to go forward in haste. Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men. --Shak.