n. pl. a·nab·a·ses(-sēz′) 1. a. An advance or expedition, especially into the interior of a country. b. A large-scale military advance, especially the Greek mercenary expedition across Asia Minor in 401 BC led by Cyrus the Younger of Persia, as described by Xenophon. It was unsuccessful, and the Greeks, led by Xenophon, retreated to the Black Sea. 2. A protracted and arduous retreat, especially through hostile or inhospitable territory. [Greek, from anabainein, to go up; see ANABAENA.] |
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