Skip to content
ontologydriven
Sign out

Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

rearguard action en · NOUN

Etymology

From rearguard + action.

Meanings

  1. An offensive action by a rearguard.
  2. (figuratively) A desperate attempt to forestall the inevitable.
    • to fight a rearguard action
    • The New English came to control Ireland — their ultimate expression was the powerful ascendancy which enjoyed exclusive political power in the country for more than a century, and which fought a dogged rearguard action against diminution of its power during the nineteenth century. 1991, Peter R. Newman, “New English”, in Companion to Irish History, 1603–1921, Oxford: Facts On File, →ISBN, page 132:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
rearguard actions Number=Plur lexicographic

Relateds

fight a losing battle

Translations (1)

fi perääntymistaistelu (desperate attempt to forestall the inevitable)