grenadier

[ gren-uh-deer ]

noun
  1. (in the British army) a member of the first regiment of household infantry (Grenadier Guards ).

  2. (formerly) a specially selected foot soldier in certain elite units.

  1. (formerly) a soldier who threw grenades.

  2. Also called rattail, rat-tail . any of several deep-sea fishes of the family Macrouridae, having an elongated, tapering tail.

Origin of grenadier

1
From French, dating back to 1670–80; see origin at grenade, -ier2

Other words from grenadier

  • gren·a·dier·i·al, adjective
  • gren·a·dier·ly, adverb
  • gren·a·dier·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for grenadier

grenadier

/ (ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə) /


noun
  1. military

    • (in the British Army) a member of the senior regiment of infantry in the Household Brigade

    • (formerly) a member of a special formation, usually selected for strength and height

    • (formerly) a soldier trained to throw grenades

  2. Also called: rat-tail any deep-sea gadoid fish of the family Macrouridae, typically having a large head and trunk and a long tapering tail

  1. any of various African weaverbirds of the genus Estrilda: See waxbill

Origin of grenadier

1
C17: from French; see grenade

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012