REARGUARD Definition & Meaning

rearguard

or rear-guard

[ reer-gahrd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to a rear guard.
designed to oppose or prevent in a defensive way:
a rearguard strategy.

rearguard

/ ˈ��ɪəˌɡɑː�� /

noun

a detachment detailed to protect the rear of a military formation, esp in retreat
an entrenched or conservative element, as in a political party
rearguard action
1. an action fought by a rearguard
2. a defensive action undertaken to try to stop something happening or continuing

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of rearguard¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; attributive use of rear guard

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of rearguard¹

C15: from Old French rereguarde (modern French ��è��-�� ), from rer , from Latin retro back + guarde guard ; compare vanguard

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

This was a win built on Scotland's rearguard, a victory for grit and bloody-mindedness.

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Crosses into the box, shots from distance, physical confrontations, a rearguard action - he revelled in it.

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Ultimately Scotland were ambushed by the sort of steely rearguard action they used to unleash on their auld rivals, as England claimed the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years.

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And then, as the fatigue built up by that rearguard effort told, England faltered.

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It will be a rearguard action from the off by Saints - but they will end up losing.

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