| rear guard n. A detachment of troops that protects the rear of a military force. [Middle English reregarde, from Old French : rere, backward (from Latin retr  ; see re- in Indo-European roots) + guarde, guard (from guarder, to defend; see guard).] |
1. The rearmost elements of an advancing or a withdrawing force. It has the following functions: to protect the rear of a column from hostile forces; during the withdrawal, to delay the enemy; during the advance, to keep supply routes open.
2. Security detachment that a moving ground force details to the rear to keep it informed and covered. See also guard.
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