à la débandadeadv.adj.
/ˌa la ˌdeɪbɑːnˈdɑːd/, /ˌa lə ˌdeɪbɑːnˈdɑːd/, /ˌɑː lɑː ˌdeɪbɑːnˈdɑːd/, U.S. /ˌɑ lɑ ˌdeɪbɑnˈɑd/, /ˌɑ lə ˌdeɪbɑnˈɑd/ Originally and chiefly Military. Now historical and rare.
In a manner or by a method not restricted by formation, discipline, or rules; in disordered haste; in confusion, disorder, or disarray; randomly. Occasionally as adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adverb]
unfaira1400–50
unorderly1488
throughothera1522
troublesomely1561
disorderedly1574
disorderlya1577
tumultuarily1590
troubledly1599
incomposedly1615
throughothers1637
hirdy-girdy1681
à la débandade1779
disordinately1830
inchoately1964
1779 H. Lloyd Rhapsody on Present Syst. French Politics vi. 72 If he advances a certain length out of his line, you order your battalion to stop, or even retire à la débandade.
a1787 Ld. Elcho Short Acc. Affairs of Scotl. (1907) 272 The Highlanders in running in were pretty much a la Debandade, some places 10 deep.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. 667/1 In 1580 Count Egmont surprised Courtray, by ordering a number of determined soldiers to get into the town à la débandade, and to remain concealed in the houses of Roman Catholics.
1828 W. Scott Jrnl. 3 Mar. (1941) 199 I do better à la débandade than I could with rules of regular study.
1845 United Service Mag. Dec. 494 The Croat light horse,..composed of peasants..armed with lances, sabres, and fire-arms,..charging irregularly à la débandade.
1939 A. Toynbee Study of Hist. IV. 440 A pair of mounted men-at-arms..were eventually to drive the legionary off the field à la débandade.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.adj.1779