Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
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.
noun
- military
- (in the British Army) a member of the senior regiment of infantry in the Household Brigade
- (formerly) a member of a special formation, usually selected for strength and height
- (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 EstrildaSee waxbill
1670s, originally a word for soldiers “who were dexterous in flinging hand-granados” [Evelyn], from French grenadier (15c.), from Middle French grenade “grenade” (see grenade); later “the tallest and finest men in the regiment” [OED].