Category:Troop

Troop, n. Etym: [f. troupe, of. trope, trupe, ll. troppus; of Uncertain origin; cf. Icel. þorp a hamlet, village, g. dorf a Village, dial. G. dorf a meeting. Norw. torp a little farm, a crowd, E. thorp. Cf. Troupe.]

1. A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude. That which should accompany old age --as honor, love, obedience, Troops of friends --i must not look to have. Shak.

2. 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.

3. (mil.)

Defn: 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.

4. A company of stageplayers; a troupe. W. Coxe.

5. (mil.)

Defn: a particular roll of the drum; a quick march.

Troop Troop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Trooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Trooping.]

1. To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops. "armies . . . troop to their standard." Milton.

2. To march on; to go forward in haste. Nor do i, as an enemy to peace, troop in the throngs of military men. Shak.