Troop — Defs

01 n. A collection of people; a company; a number; a multitude.

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.
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.(Mil.)
4.
A company of stageplayers; a troupe.
5.
A particular roll of the drum; a quick march.(Mil.)
6.
See Boy scout, above. See: Boy scout

02 v. i. To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops.

imp. & p. p. Trooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Trooping

1.
To move in numbers; to come or gather in crowds or troops.
2.
To march on; to go forward in haste.
“Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men.” — Shak.

03 v. t.

Phrases & compounds

To troop the colors — in the British army, to perform a ceremony consisting essentially in carrying the colors, accompanied by the band and escort, slowly before the troops drawn up in single file and usually in a hollow square, as in London on the sovereign's birthday.