noun
rearguard
Rearguard (noun) means the part of an army furthest back, especially soldiers guarding the rear of troops as they retreat.
noun
1
The part of an army furthest back, especially soldiers guarding the rear of troops as they retreat.
2
A team's defenders, considered as a group.
"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."
— Phil McNulty, Aston Villa 1 - 0 Man City (2011)
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Etymology
Came into English from Middle English rier garde, which came from Anglo-Norman reregard, reregarde, rereguarde and Middle French rieregarde, in turn from Old French rereguarde (attested in The Song of Roland, c. 1150), formed from rere (“after; behind”) and guarde (“guard”). Taken at face value it can be broken down as rear + guard, and it is a piecewise doublet of retrogarde.
Antonyms
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Rhymes for rearguard
See all rhymes for rearguard →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of rearguard?
"rearguard" (noun) means the part of an army furthest back, especially soldiers guarding the rear of troops as they retreat.
What is the opposite of rearguard?
The opposite of "rearguard" is vanguard.
What are the different meanings of rearguard?
"rearguard" has 2 main meanings: 1. The part of an army furthest back, especially soldiers guarding the rear of troops as they retreat; 2. A team's defenders, considered as a group.
