troop

Meanings

1. A collection of people; a number; a multitude (in general).
2. A small unit of cavalry or armour commanded by a captain, corresponding to a platoon or company of infantry.
3. A detachment of soldiers or police, especially horse artillery, armour, or state troopers.
4. A group of soldiers; military forces.
5. An individual soldier or member of a military force; a trooper.
6. A company of actors; a troupe.
7. A chapter of a national girl or boy scouts organization, consisting of one or more patrols of 6 to 8 youngsters each.
8. A group of monkeys.
9. A group of meerkat families living together.
10. A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.
11. A group of mushrooms that are close but not close enough to be called a cluster.

1. To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops.
2. To march on; to go forward in haste.
3. To move or march as if in a crowd.

1. A surname.

Etymology

Attested in English since 1545, from French troupe, from Back-formation from troupeau, from Middle French trope, troupe, from Old French trope, trupe, of unknown origin. Compare Early Medieval Latin troppus. Doublet of troupe, and possibly also of thorp, dorp, and trip. Cognate with German Dorf (“village”).