Brigade
/brɪˈɡeɪd/noun
A military unit made up of several battalions or regiments, or a group organized for a specific purpose.
Did you know?*Brigade* entered English through French military usage, ultimately from Italian *brigata*, meaning a company or troop, and its deeper root is tied to the idea of a gathered band rather than any occult meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
brigade
“A military unit or organized group”
17th Century
French
brigade
“A body of troops”
16th Century
Italian
brigata
“A company, troop, or band of people”
Late Latin
Late Latin
brigata
“A band or troop”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bherǵʰ-
“To rise, be high, or stand out”
Explore more surprising origins