Rear-guard, rear-ward.

Military. The part of an army or fleet stationed behind the main body; the third division in a force drawn up for action; = rearguard, n.1 1a. Now…

The back or rear of an army. Obsolete. rare.

An extra supply or allowance of food, esp. bread; a fresh supply of food brought to replace that which has run out; an extra dish; (also) a dessert…

Rear-guard.

Military. The rear division of an army or fleet drawn up for action; = rear, n.2 1a, rearward, n.1 1a. Obsolete.

Military. The rear division of an army or fleet drawn up for action; (also) a body of troops detached from the main force to bring up and protect…

= rearguard, n.1 (in various senses).

= arrière-guard, n.

In early use, a picked body of men, detached to the front to begin the attack; a body of skirmishers. Now usually, a storming party.

Military (now historical). The rear of an army or body of soldiers. Obsolete. rare.

The rear of an armed force. archaic.

The back (as opposed to the front) of an army, camp, or person. Also: the space behind or at the back, the position at or towards the back. Cf…