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sentry

 - 3 dictionary results

sen⋅try

[sen-tree]
–noun, plural -tries.
1. a soldier stationed at a place to stand guard and prevent the passage of unauthorized persons, watch for fires, etc., esp. a sentinel stationed at a pass, gate, opening in a defense work, or the like.
2. a member of a guard or watch.

Origin:
1605–15; short for sentrinel, var. of sentinel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sentry
sen·try   (sěn'trē)   
n.   pl. sen·tries
  1. A guard, especially a soldier posted at a given spot to prevent the passage of unauthorized persons.

  2. The duty of a sentry; watch.


[Perhaps alteration of obsolete sentrinel, variant of sentinel.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

sentry 
1611, originally "watchtower;" perhaps a shortened variant of sentinel (q.v.), which had a variant form centrinel (1598), or worn down from sanctuary, on notion of "shelter for a watchman." Meaning "military guard posted around a camp" is first attested 1632. Sentry-box is from 1728.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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