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A troop of fifty soldiers in the Spartan army; -- called also pentecostys. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any combination of people distinguished for firmness and solidity of a union. At present they formed a united phalanx. Macaulay. The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed, All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. Cowper.

A detached body of troops serving to guard an army from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the enemy; -- called also outlying picket.

To languish; to lose flesh or wear away, under any distress or anexiety of mind; to droop; -- often used with away. "The roses wither and the lilies pine." Tickell.

Languishing; drooping; wasting away, as with longing.

In a pining manner; droopingly. Poe.

Open; clear; unencumbered; equal; fair. Our troops beat an army in plain fight. Felton.

To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deploy. Wilhelm.

The act or movement of forming a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deployment.

To adorn with feathers or plumes. "Farewell the plumed troop." Shak.

to pass through. A kind of poncho made of rubber or painted cloth is used by the mounted troops in the United States service.

ber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.

Numerous; in large number. [Obs.] "The dust . . . raised by your populous troops." Shak. -- Pop"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Pop"u*lous*ness, n.

. -- Strategic position (Mil.), a position taken up by an army or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of checking or observing an opposing force.

A military station; the place at which a soldier or a body of troops is stationed; also, the troops at such a station.

Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music.

little lives Above the clouds, precipitant to earth. J. Philips. Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold, Precipitant in fear would wing their flight. Pope.

fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

ion; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.

ble or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment. Milton. That they may prepare a city for habitation. Ps. cvii. 36