Word Study
rearguard
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun rearguard has 1 sense
OXFORD DICTIONARY
rearguard, n.
1 a body of troops detached to protect the rear, esp. in retreats.
2 a defensive or conservative element in an organization etc.
1 a body of troops detached to protect the rear, esp. in retreats.
2 a defensive or conservative element in an organization etc.
Idiom
rearguard action
1 Mil. an engagement undertaken by a rearguard.
2 a defensive stand in argument etc., esp. when losing.
1 Mil. an engagement undertaken by a rearguard.
2 a defensive stand in argument etc., esp. when losing.
Etymology
OF rereguarde (as RETRO-, GUARD)
For further exploring for "rearguard" in Webster Dictionary Online
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