echelon

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: ech=e=lon

CIDE DICTIONARY

echelon, n. [F., fr. échelle ladder, fr. L. scala.].

•  An arrangement of a body of troops when its divisions are drawn up in parallel lines each to the right or the left of the one in advance of it, like the steps of a ladder in position for climbing. Also used adjectively; as, echelon distance.  Upton (Tactics).  [1913 Webster]
•  An arrangement of a fleet in a wedge or V form.  Encyc. Dict.  [1913 Webster]

Echelon lens (Optics), a large lens constructed in several parts or layers, extending in a succession of annular rings beyond the central lens; -- used in lighthouses.

echelon, v. t. 

 To place in echelon; to station divisions of troops in echelon.  [1913 Webster]

echelon, v. i. 

 To take position in echelon.  [1913 Webster]
"Change direction to the left, echelon by battalion from the right."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

echelon, n. & v.
--n.
1 a level or rank in an organization, in society, etc.; those occupying it (often in pl. : the upper echelons).
2 Mil. a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, etc., in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting further than the one in front (in echelon).
--v.tr. arrange in an echelon.

Etymology

F {eacute}chelon f. {eacute}chelle ladder f. L scala

THESAURUS

echelon

battle array, caste, class, close formation, condition, deployment, disposition, file, footing, formation, formation flying, hierarchy, open order, order, order of battle, place, position, power structure, precedence, queue, rank, rate, rating, row, sphere, stage, standing, station, status, string, tier

ROGET THESAURUS

echelon

Attack

N attack, assault, assault and battery, onset, onslaught, charge, aggression, offense, incursion, inroad, invasion, irruption, outbreak, estrapade, ruade, coupe de main, sally, sortie, camisade, raid, foray, run at, run against, dead set at, storm, storming, boarding, escalade, siege, investment, obsession, bombardment, cannonade, fire, volley, platoon fire, file fire, fusillade, sharpshooting, broadside, raking fire, cross fire, volley of grapeshot, whiff of the grape, feu d'enfer, cut, thrust, lunge, pass, passado, carte and tierce, home thrust, coupe de bec, kick, punch, battue, razzia, Jacquerie, dragonnade, devastation, eboulement, assailant, aggressor, invader, base of operations, point of attack, echelon, attacking, aggressive, offensive, obsidional, up in arms, on the offensive, Int, up and at them!, the din of arms, the yell of savage rage, the shriek of agony, the groan of death, their fatal hands no second stroke intend, thirst for glory quells the love of life.