echelon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a body of troops arranged in a line
  2. noun a diffraction grating consisting of a pile of plates of equal thickness arranged stepwise with a constant offset

WordNet

Ech"e*lon noun
Etymology
F., fr. échelle ladder, fr. L. scala.
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) 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).
  2. (Naval) An arrangement of a fleet in a wedge or form. Encyc. Dict.
Ech"e*lon transitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) To place in echelon; to station divisions of troops in echelon.
Ech"e*lon intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To take position in echelon.
    Change direction to the left, echelon by battalion from the right. Upton (Tactics).

Webster 1913