Troop (?), n. [F. troupe, OF. trope, trupe, LL. troppus; of uncertain origin; cf. Icel. þorp a hamlet, village, G. dorf a village, dial. G. dorf a meeting. Norw. torp a little farm, a crowd, E. thorp. Cf. Troupe.] 1. A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude.
That which should accompany old age —
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends —
I must not look to have. Shak.
2. Soldiers, collectively; an army; — now generally used in the plural.
Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars. Shak.
His troops moved to victory with the precision of machines. Macaulay.
3. (Mil.) Specifically, a small body of cavalry, light horse, or dragoons, consisting usually of about sixty men, commanded by a captain; the unit of formation of cavalry, corresponding to the company in infantry. Formerly, also, a company of horse artillery; a battery.
4. A company of stageplayers; a troupe. W. Coxe.
5. (Mil.) A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.