Squad"ron (?), n. [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See Squad.]
1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body
of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square. [R.]
Those half-rounding quards
Just met, and,
closing, stood in squadron joined.
Milton.
2. (Mil.) A body of cavarly comparising two companies or troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to
two hundred men.
3. (Naut.)
A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior
officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron. Totten.
Flying squadron, a squadron of
observation or practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to
place. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
Hear it pronounced