ECHELON
echelon
(noun) a diffraction grating consisting of a pile of plates of equal thickness arranged stepwise with a constant offset
echelon
(noun) a body of troops arranged in a line
echelon
(noun) status in a society or organization; “the upper echelon”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Proper noun
Echelon
An international SIGINT network to monitor and gather intelligence from satellite trunk communications.
Anagrams
• Chelone, chelone
Etymology
Noun
echelon (plural echelons)
A level or rank in an organization, profession, or society.
(cycling) A line of riders seeking maximum drafting in a crosswind, resulting in a diagonal line across the road.
(military) A formation of troops, ships, etc, in diagonal parallel rows. [from late 18th c.]
Verb
echelon (third-person singular simple present echelons, present participle echeloning, simple past and past participle echeloned)
(transitive, military) To form troops into an echelon.
Adjective
echelon (not comparable)
(linear algebra) Of a matrix: having undergone Gaussian elimination with the result that the leading coefficient or pivot (that is, the first nonzero number from the left) of a nonzero row is to the right of the pivot of the row above it, giving rise to a stepped appearance in the matrix.
Anagrams
• Chelone, chelone
Source: Wiktionary
Ech"e*lon, n. Etym: [F., fr. échelle ladder, fr. L. scala.]
1. (Mil.)
Definition: An arrangement of a body of troops when its divisions are drawn
up in parallel lines each to the right or the left of the one in
advance of it, like the steps of a ladder in position for climbing.
Also used adjectively; as, echelon distance. Upton (Tactics).
2. (Naval)
Definition: An arrangement of a fleet in a wedge or Encyc. Dict. Echelon
lens (Optics), a large lens constructed in several parts or layers,
extending in a succession of annular rings beyond the central lens; -
- used in lighthouses.
Ech"e*lon, v. t. (Mil.)
Definition: To place in echelon; to station divisions of troops in echelon.
Ech"e*lon, v. i.
Definition: To take position in echelon.
Change direction to the left, echelon by battalion from the right.
Upton (Tactics).
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition