rearguard

See also: rear-guard

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From rear +‎ guard. Attested in The Song of Roland c. 1150 (rereguarde). Doublet of retrogarde.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɹɪəɹˌɡɑɹd/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Noun

rearguard (plural rearguards) (often attributive)

  1. (military) The rearmost part of a force, especially a detachment of troops that protect the rear of a retreating force.
    Synonym: vanguard
  2. (soccer) The defence, collectively the defenders.
    • 2011 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 1 - 0 Man City”, in BBC‎[1]:
      Mancini's side only showed enough ambition when it was too late and by then battle lines were drawn as James Collins and former City captain Richard Dunne fought a magnificent rearguard action at the heart of Villa's defence.

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