How Do You Spell REARGUARD?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈi͡əɡɑːd] (IPA)

The word "rearguard" refers to a group of soldiers positioned at the back of an army to protect its rear. Its spelling follows a common spelling pattern in English where the letter "a" is pronounced as /ɛə/ (like "air") when it is followed by the letter "r." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "rearguard" is transcribed as /rɪərˌɡɑrd/. The stress falls on the second syllable, and the final "d" is silent, making it a five-letter word that is pronounced with four syllables.

REARGUARD Meaning and Definition

1. Rearguard is a noun that refers to a person or a group of people positioned at the rear or back of a formation, primarily for protection and defense. The term can also describe the protective action or role taken by the individuals in this position.

   In military contexts, a rearguard is responsible for safeguarding the rear of an advancing force, protecting it from potential attacks or ambushes from the enemy. They ensure that the formation remains secure and undisturbed as they retreat or advance. Rearguards act as a defensive barrier, preventing any infiltration or encirclement of the main force.

   Beyond the military realm, the term is also used metaphorically to describe individuals or groups who protect or defend something, usually a principle, an organization, or an ideology, against opposition or criticism. These individuals assume a protective role, often attempting to stifle or counteract any threats or challenges that may arise. They adopt a defensive position, guarding against the potential loss or compromise of their values, beliefs, or interests.

   Overall, rearguard carries the connotation of protection, defense, and vigilance, particularly in the face of potential risks or threats. It can signify both the individuals in a protective position and their subsequent actions undertaken to safeguard a particular entity or objective.

Common Misspellings for REARGUARD

• reagard
• reguard
• hearguard
• heargard
• rearyuard
• reareguard
• rearguared
• rearguar
• reargaurd
• berguard
• rearguarda
• reagurd
• regarguard
• reagrard

Etymology of REARGUARD

The word "rearguard" can be traced back to Middle English, where it was initially written as "rerewarde". It combines the prefix "re-" meaning "back" or "backward", and "ward" meaning "guard" or "protector". The term was borrowed from Old French "riergarde", derived from the Old French verb "regarder" meaning "to guard" or "to look after". Ultimately, "rearguard" can be seen as a combination of "rear" and "guard", referring to the troops that protect the back or rear of an army or formation.

Idioms with the word REARGUARD

• fight a rearguard action To "fight a rearguard action" means to engage in a defensive or delaying action to resist an impending defeat or loss. It originates from military tactics, where a rearguard is a group of troops tasked with protecting the rear or retreat of an army while taking on an advancing enemy force. In a broader sense, this idiom is often used metaphorically to describe any effort to resist a setback or maintain a position when faced with overwhelming odds or a disadvantageous situation.

Plural form of REARGUARD is REARGUARDS