What does "troop" mean?
Troop: 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.
Additional senses
- 2.(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.
- 3.A company of stageplayers; a troupe. W. Coxe.
- 4.(Mil.) A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.
- 5.To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops. "Armies . . . troop to their standard." Milton.
- 6.To march on; to go forward in haste. Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men. Shak.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00