Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun plural A body of picked troops

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of guard.

Etymologies

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Examples

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  • Captured at Yorktown, "2 regiments artillery, 2 of guards, 2 of light-infantry, 7 of foot ("regiments of foot" were infantry)," which were enumerated separately from those German-speaking troops that served with the British:

    2 regiments Anspachers (from the principality of Anspach-Bayreuth in what is now Germany)

    the "Hereditary Prince's regiment of horse," a.k.a. the Prince Hereditaire Regiment, and the Erbprinz regiment. Many of these troops were from Hesse-Kassel, which led Americans to refer erroneously to all German speakers who fought with the British as "Hessians"

    and 9 companies of "Yagers," a.k.a. Jägers or Jaegers. This regiment, also from Hesse-Kassel, was formed of expert riflemen who were recruited from among game keepers and foresters. The Jäger unit at Yorktown was commanded by Captain Johann Ewald, who left a memoir of his experiences.

    October 29, 2007

  • It is also the 3rd person singular of the verb 'to guard'.

    September 5, 2011