rearguard
rear·guard [rearguard rearguards] BrE [ˈrɪəɡɑːd] NAmE [ˈrɪrɡɑːrd] noun (usually the rearguard)singular + singular or plural verb
a group of soldiers that protect the back part of an army especially when the army is retreating after it has been defeated
Opp: ↑vanguard
Word Origin:
late Middle English (denoting the rear part of an army): from Old French rereguarde.
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