rearguard
or rear-guard
[ reer-gahrd ]
/ ˈrɪərˌgɑrd /
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adjective
of or relating to a rear guard.
designed to oppose or prevent in a defensive way: a rearguard strategy.
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Origin of rearguard
First recorded in 1895–1900; attributive use of rear guard
Words nearby rearguard
rear admiral, Reardon, rear echelon, rear end, rear-ender, rearguard, rear its ugly head, rear light, rearm, rearmost, rearmouse
Definition for rearguard (2 of 2)
rear guard
noun
a part of an army or military force detached from the main body to bring up and guard the rear from surprise attack, especially in a retreat.
Origin of rear guard
1475–85; <Anglo-French reregard,Old French rereguarde
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for rearguard
British Dictionary definitions for rearguard
rearguard
/ (ˈrɪəˌɡɑːd) /
noun
a detachment detailed to protect the rear of a military formation, esp in retreat
an entrenched or conservative element, as in a political party
rearguard action
- an action fought by a rearguard
- a defensive action undertaken to try to stop something happening or continuing
Word Origin for rearguard
C15: from Old French rereguarde (modern French arrière-garde), from rer, from Latin retro back + guarde guard; compare vanguard
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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