sentry
/ˈsɛntri
/noun (plural sentries)
A soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place: sentries patrolled the border [as modifier]: on sentry duty [mass noun]: two men stood sentry on the door every evening...
- A lone sentry now stands guard, posted by the Northern Alliance.
- First, a sentry need no longer be a soldier standing at the entrance to a camp with a pike, or a rifle.
- By acting as sentries, patrolling the countryside etc. they relieved the army to do other work.
Synonyms
guard, sentinel, lookout, watch, watchman, patrol, picket
historical vedette
Phrases
stand sentry
Origin
Early 17th century: perhaps from obsolete centrinel, variant of sentinel.