grenadier

[ gren-uh-deer ]
/ ˌgrɛn əˈdɪər /

noun

(in the British army) a member of the first regiment of household infantry (Grenadier Guards).
(formerly) a specially selected foot soldier in certain elite units.
(formerly) a soldier who threw grenades.
Also called rat-tail, rat tail. any of several deep-sea fishes of the family Macrouridae, having an elongated, tapering tail.

Origin of grenadier

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

Words nearby grenadier

grenache, grenada, grenade, grenade launcher, grenadian, grenadier, grenadilla, grenadine, grenadines, grendel, grenfell

Example sentences from the Web for grenadier

British Dictionary definitions for grenadier

grenadier
/ (ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə) /

noun

military
  1. (in the British Army) a member of the senior regiment of infantry in the Household Brigade
  2. (formerly) a member of a special formation, usually selected for strength and height
  3. (formerly) a soldier trained to throw grenades
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
any of various African weaverbirds of the genus Estrilda See waxbill

Word Origin for grenadier

C17: from French; see grenade