corporal's guard

noun

1. Military. any small detachment.
2. any small group, as of followers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of corporal's guard¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

I myself counted one hundred and thirty graves, or rather holes, loosely covered over with earth, close together, many of them large enough to hold a corporal’s guard.

From Literature

The costs of the debacle were very high: The GOP lost 36 House seats, and its Senate contingent was reduced to a corporal’s guard of 32.

From Washington Post

"If you do not return to the barracks at once," he said, sternly, "I will fetch a corporal's guard and put you in the cells."

From Project Gutenberg

The fort contained large quantities of government arms and ammunition, and being garrisoned by but a corporal's guard, it was too tempting a prize to be overlooked by Samuel Adams and his colleagues.

From Project Gutenberg

The only military in the neighborhood were the general's suite and a corporal's guard whose tents were on the green before the Berrian House, and the captain's marquee nearly in front.

From Project Gutenberg