意味一覧 (2件)
大隊
解説 Definition
軍隊の戦術的な単位で、複数の中隊から構成される。通常、数百人の兵士から成る。
A battalion is a large military unit made up of several smaller groups of soldiers. It is used in army organization and command. The word is mainly seen in military contexts or discussions of war.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
battle と結びつけて、「戦いに出るために編成されたまとまった部隊」と覚えると定着しやすいです。ここでの battalion は比喩的な「大群」ではなく、軍隊の正式な単位を指します。army 全体より小さく、company より大きく、regiment や brigade とは階層が違う点を意識しましょう。infantry battalion, command a battalion, deploy a battalion のように、軍事・戦史・ニュース記事で出やすい語です。
Connect it to "battle." A battalion is not the whole army, but one organized military unit ready for battle. It is often used in phrases like "deploy a battalion" or "an infantry battalion."
例文
A battalion consists of several companies of soldiers.
大隊はいくつかの中隊で構成されている。
大群
(意味 2)解説 Definition
battalion は、人や物が非常に多く集まった「大群」を表す名詞です。やや書き言葉で、a battalion of reporters のように、押し寄せるほど多数いる集団を強調するときに使います。
Battalion is a noun that can mean a very large group of people or things gathered together. In this use, it is often a slightly formal or literary word, especially in the pattern "a battalion of ...". It is used to emphasize that the group seems to arrive in great numbers, sometimes with a slightly exaggerated effect. It can also mean a military unit, so the context shows which meaning is intended.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
battle から来た語なので、もとは「戦うためにまとまった集団」というイメージがあります。そこから軍隊に限らず、記者・弁護士・助手などがずらりと並ぶような「大群」にも使われます。many people より硬く、a battalion of ... の形で数の多さを少し誇張して響かせる語です。軍事の「大隊」という別義もあるので、後ろに兵士や部隊名が来るか、一般の人や職業名が来るかで見分けましょう。
Think of battle in the word battalion. Originally it meant a group gathered for fighting, so it gives the image of people lined up in a large organized mass. That is why a battalion of reporters or lawyers sounds stronger and more formal than just saying many people. Remember that it can also mean the military sense "battalion," so check whether the context is about soldiers or an ordinary crowd.
例文
A battalion of reporters was waiting outside the courthouse.
裁判所の外では、記者の大群が待ち構えていた。
As soon as the doors opened, a battalion of fans rushed into the hall.
ドアが開くとすぐに、ファンの大群がホールになだれ込んだ。
The CEO arrived with a battalion of lawyers and assistants.
そのCEOは、弁護士や助手の大群を引き連れて現れた。
battalion の語源・成り立ち Etymology
battalion はフランス語 bataillon を経て、俗ラテン語 battalia「戦い」にさかのぼります。語幹 batt- には「打つ」の感覚があり、battle や batter も同根なので、「打ち合う集団」が大隊になったと考えると意味がつながります。
Battalion came from French bataillon, from Late Latin battalia, meaning "fighting" or "battle exercises." The root batt- is linked to the idea of striking, and it appears in related words like battle and batter. The sense developed from fighting or groups in combat to an organized military unit.
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