patrol

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the outposts.

   Four members of the squadron were on patrol.

2. 2
   noun

   The guards who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

   After cordial good-bye to our hospitable hostess we motored back to Chaumont where we dined with Colonel Mitchell; and then with another long drive we finally reached home tired but happy at 3.30 in the morning. There staring me in the face was an order directing me to lead my patrol over the lines in the morning at five o'clock, sharp! An hour and a half sleep for an utterly worn out aviator!

3. 3
   noun

   Any perambulation of a particular line or district to guard it; also, the people thus guarding.

   a customs patrol

4. 4
   noun

   A unit of a troop, usually defined by certain ranks or age groups within the troop, and ideally comprised of six to eight members.

   On a makeshift bed in the corner was an old woman looking very sick. Then a patrol of "Missioner" Scouts appeared on the scene: one seized a broom and swept out the room; the next made up the fire with some fuel he had procured and made her a cup of tea; another mended the rickety table, bed and chair, making them at any rate serviceable, while a fourth straightened out the bedclothes, propped the old lady up, and did his best to cheer her until the tea was ready.

5. 5
   verb

   To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman

   to patrol a frontier

6. 6
   verb

   maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol

7. 7
   noun

   the activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes

8. 8
   noun

   a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

Etymology

From French patrouille, from Old French patrouille, patouille (“a night-watch”, literally “a tramping about”), from patrouiller, patouiller, patoiller (“to paddle or pudder in water, dabble with the feet, begrime, besmear”), from patte, pate (“paw, foot of an animal”), from Vulgar Latin *patta (“paw, foot”), from Frankish *patta (“paw, sole of the foot”), from Proto-Germanic *paþjaną, *paþōną (“to walk, tread, go, step, pace”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pent-, *(s)pat- (“path; to walk”), a variant of Proto-Indo-European *pent-, *pat- (“path; to go”); see find. Cognate with Dutch pa…