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squad·ron

(skwŏdrən)

1. A naval unit smaller than a fleet.

2. An armored cavalry unit subordinate to a regiment and consisting of two or more troops.

3. A cavalry or armored unit of a European army, corresponding to a company.

4. A basic tactical air force unit, subordinate to a group and consisting of two or more flights.

5. A multitude or horde: "Squadrons of flies like particles of dust danced up and down" (T.E. Lawrence).

[Italian squadrone, augmentative of squadra, squad; see SQUAD.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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