flying column

noun Military.

(formerly) a force of troops equipped and organized to move swiftly and independently of a principal unit to which it is attached.

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Nearby words

flying buttress, flying characin, flying circus, flying colors, flying colours, flying column, flying doctor, flying dragon, flying dustbin, flying dutchman, flying field

Origin of flying column

First recorded in 1865–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019