rearguard
1
8.9
- noun
- /ˈrɪrˌɡɑrd/
:
retaguardia
- Russian cavalry and bands of Cossack militia attacked Nye's rearguard over and over again.
Examples
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Upon their retreat, Theodrit LED a brave rearguard action but was struck down.
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The Germans have pulled back their rearguard.
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Meanwhile Godfrey was racing up with the rearguard to join the battle.
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Field ordered Rogers to remain at our point of entry as a rearguard and lookout.
Fiction book (1990) -
However, the regrouped Muslim army managed to repel the first Norman attack and move against the rearguard, which was commanded by Roger.
Academic text (2010) -
Barry's first taste of battle was only a skirmish against a small rearguard of Frenchmen who occupied an orchard beside a road down which, a few hours later, the English main force would wish to pass.
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Secondly, the excellent positioning of the trench and the rearguard detailed to defend it, as well as the column's line of retreat, showed an increasing professionalism on the part of IRA leaders.
Blog text (5) -
During their retreat, the soldiers formed a rearguard to protect those falling behind.
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The rearguard fought valiantly to hold off the enemy while the main force escaped.
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As the battle raged, the commander relied on the rearguard to cover their withdrawal.
Synonyms
Compounds
How Far
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Rearguard comes from two plain words: rear meaning 'back' and guard meaning 'to protect' or 'to watch'. So a rearguard is the group that 'watches the back' of an army and protects it, especially during a retreat.