light infantry
- foot soldiers with lightweight weapons and minimal field equipment.
- infantry units with a minimal number of crew-served weapons and other supporting equipment.
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Origin of light infantry
First recorded in 1840–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for light infantry
Historical Examples
A fine company of light-infantry, commanded by the distinguished Harrison Gray Otis, was a guard of honor on the occasion.
Washington and the American Republic, Vol. 3.Benson J. Lossing
The light-infantry were in the advance, at White Clay Creek.
A sharp firing of small arms soon told that Maxwell's light-infantry were engaged with the vanguard of the enemy.
He also withdrew from Arnold's division Morgan's rifle corps and Dearborn's light-infantry, its main reliance.