Hypertext Webster Gateway: "platoon"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Platoon \Pla*toon"\, n. [F. peloton a ball of thread, a knot or
group of men, a platoon, from pelote a ball formed of things
wound round. See {Pellet}.] (Mil.)
(a) Formerly, a body of men who fired together; also, a small
square body of soldiers to strengthen the angles of a
hollow square.
(b) Now, in the United States service, half of a company.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
platoon
n 1: a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually
has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually
commanded by a lieutenant
2: a team of policemen working under the military platoon
system
3: a group of persons who are engaged in a common activity;
"platoons of tourists poured out of the busses"; "the
defensive platoon of the football team"
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