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n. 1. The act of moving about an area especially by an authorized and trained person or group, for purposes of observation, inspection, or security. 2. A person or group of persons who perform such an act. 3. a. A military unit sent out on a reconnaissance or combat mission. b. One or more military vehicles, boats, ships, or aircraft assigned to guard or reconnoiter a given area. 4. A division of a Boy Scout troop or Girl Scout troop consisting of between six and eight children. v. pa·trolled, pa·trol·ling, pa·trols v.tr. To engage in a patrol of. v.intr. To engage in a patrol. [French patrouille, from patrouiller, to patrol, alteration of Old French patouiller, to paddle about in mud, patrol, probably from pate, paw; see PATOIS.] pa·troller n. |
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