GRENADIER

Grenadier

A grenadier was originally a specialized soldier, first established as a distinct role in the mid-to-late 17th century, for the throwing of grenades and sometimes assault operations. At that time grenadiers were chosen from the strongest and largest soldiers. By the 18th century, the throwing of grenades was no longer relevant, but grenadiers were still chosen for being the most physically powerful soldiers and would lead assaults in the field of battle. Grenadiers would also often lead the storming of fortification breaches in siege warfare, although this role was more usually fulfilled by all-arm units of volunteers called forlorn hopes, and might also be ...

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grenadier

Noun

  1. A type of soldier, originally one who threw grenades, later a member of a company formed from the tallest men of the regiment; now specifically, a member of the .
  2. Any of various African weaverbirds or waxbills, especially the common grenadier or the red bishop.
  3. Any of various deep-sea fish of the family Macrouridae that have a large head and body and a long tapering tail; a rattail.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: grenadier
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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