| 释义 |
▪ I. echelon|eʃlɔ̃, ˈɛʃəlɒn|
Also echellon.
[a. F. échelon, f. échelle ladder.]
1. a. ‘A formation of troops in which the successive divisions are placed parallel to one another, but no two on the same alignement, each division having its front clear of that in advance’ (Stocqueler). Also attrib. in echelon (also Fr. en échelon): drawn up in this manner. direct echelon, oblique echelon: see quot. 1832. echelon-lens: see lens n.
1796Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813) 55 The Echellon (or diagonal) changes of position. 1803Wellington Mem. in Gurw. Disp. II. 332 The 74th was not in an echellon. 1812Examiner 24 Aug. 531/2 The..rear-guard..was perceived drawn up en echellon. 1832Regul. Instr. Cavalry iii. 46 Direct Echellon—Is when the Line is broken into several parts, moving direct to the front or rear in succession. Oblique Echellon—Is when the Line is broken into several parts by wheels from Line, or Column, less than the quarter circle, so as to be oblique to the former front, and parallel with each other. Ibid. 69 The..Troops..advance in echellon. 1834Mudie Brit. Birds (1841) I. 167 If you do not stir, he [raven] will drop down..and begin to hop in an echellon fashion.
b. Each of the subdivisions in the rear of the main supply service for troops in warfare.
1922Encycl. Brit. XXXII. 493/2 One corps..was subdivided at all échelons into telephone units, wireless units, and visual units. 1924L. E. Vining Held by Bolsheviks 88 People are coming to me in numbers asking me to get their trains and echelons away. Ibid. 104 Each echelon commander is demanding to have his train put on the west-bound track. 1948A. Baron From City, from Plough xvii. 155 There was a clutter of signboards..with the emblems of battalions and brigades blazing a trail for their rear echelons to follow. 1955Times 7 June 6/5 Their transport echelon, supplying them from the comparative comfort of the reserve, is now known as ‘the passive wing’.
c. N.Z. (See quot. 1941.)
1941Baker N.Z. Slang iii. 24 The New Zealand application, dating from 1939, of echelon to a division of an Expeditionary Force..represents a new meaning applied to an old term. 1947C. V. Smith in J. Reid Kiwi Laughs (1961) 152 They are only a few short of the number that went overseas with the first Echelon.
2. Used for: One of the divisions of an army marching in echelon.
1808J. Barlow Columb. vii. 324 Disposed..all his ardent train, To charge, change front, each echelon sustain. 1862Guardian 23 Apr. 400/2 Each échelon..deployed into line.
3. transf. A grade or rank in any (esp. civil) administration or profession. orig. U.S.
1950in M. McLuhan Mech. Bride (1951) 2/3 ‘The catalogue will be confined to posts in the higher echelons,’ said Mr. Ross. 1951Here & Now (N.Z.) May 20/2 The United States delegation on any one day may, on the other hand, amount to as many as 100 people (with reserve echelons of advisers, experts, consultants and translators in Washington). 1957P. Frankau Bridge 203 Do educationalists get as drunk when they convene as the lower echelons do? 1958Times 12 Jan. 5/3 The higher echelons of the law and politics have become almost an Oxford preserve. 1969Daily Tel. 8 Feb. 15/1 A security leak in the top echelon of the Civil Service.
▪ II. echelon, v.|ˈɛʃəlɒn|
[f. prec., or ad. Fr. échelonner.]
trans. To arrange (troops) in the form of an echelon; to dispose in divisions at successive intervals. Mostly in pa. pple.; also absol.
1864Sat. Rev. 380/2, 150,000 troops echelonned over the country. 1879Daily News 1 Mar. 5/7 To echelon the flanks of the attacking force somewhat to the rear.
b. transf. and fig.
c1860Wraxall tr. R. Houdin xv. 213 Miseries we had to undergo, like so many pinpricks echeloned on our passage. 1886Pall Mall G. 10 June 5/1 Along the infinite ascending spiral which leads from earth to heaven..the whole human race is echeloned at irregular intervals.
Hence ˈecheloned ppl. a.
1857C. Adams Gt. Campaigns 76 The echeloned formation of his divisions. 1924Skerl tr. Wegener's Orig. Cont. & Oceans iv. 65 The Cordilleras..run from south to north along the coast, and terminate in echeloned folds which retreat successively westwards. |