Bat*tal"ion (-tal"yun; 106), n. [F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione. See Battalia.]
1. A body of troops; esp. a body of troops or an army in battle array. "The whole battalion views." Milton. 2. (Mil.) A regiment, or two or more companies of a regiment, esp. when assembled for drill or battle. © Webster 1913
Bat*tal"ion (&?;), v. t. To form into battalions. [R.] © Webster 1913
Bat*tal"ion (?), n. (Mil.) An infantry command of two or more companies, which is the tactical unit of the infantry, or the smallest command which is self- supporting upon the battlefield, and also the unit in which the strength of the infantry of an army is expressed. ⇒ In the United States army, since April 29, 1898, a battalion consists of four companies, and three battalions form a regiment. The term is also applied to two or more batteries of artillery combined into a single command. © Webster 1913
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