Squad"ron (?), n. [F. escadron,
formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See
Squad.] 1. Primarily, a square; hence, a
square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.
[R.]
Those half-rounding quards
Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined.
Milton.
2. (Mil.) A body of cavarly comparising
two companies or troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to
two hundred men.
3. (Naut.) A detachment of vessels
employed on any particular service or station, under the command of
the senior officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron.
Totten.
Flying squadron, a squadron of observation or
practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to place.
Ham. Nav. Encyc.