rearguard
(Redirected from rear guard)
See also: rear-guard
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
rear + guard. Attested in The Song of Roland circa 1150 (rereguarde). Doublet of retrogarde.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
rearguard (plural rearguards)
- (military) The rearmost part of a force, especially a detachment of troops that protect the rear of a retreating force.
- (soccer) The defence, collectively the defenders.
- 2011 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 1 - 0 Man City”, in BBC[1]:
- Mancini's side only showed enough ambition when it was too late and by then battle lines were drawn as James Collins and former City captain Richard Dunne fought a magnificent rearguard action at the heart of Villa's defence.
Usage notes edit
- Usually used attributively.
Antonyms edit
Coordinate terms edit
- (rearmost part of a troop): backstop
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
the rearmost part of a force
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