A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude. That which should accompany old age --As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends --I must not look to have. Shak.
Soldiers, collectively; an army; -- now generally used in the plural. Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars. Shak. His troops moved to victory with the precision of machines. Macaulay.
Specifically, a small body of cavalry, light horse, or dragoons, consisting usually of about sixty men, commanded by a captain; the unit of formation of cavalry, corresponding to the company in infantry. Formerly, also, a company of horse artillery; a battery.
A company of stageplayers; a troupe. W. Coxe.
A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.
To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops. "Armies . . . troop to their standard." Milton.
To march on; to go forward in haste. Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men. Shak.
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