pəˈtrəul n. & v. --n. 1
the act of
walking or travelling
around an
area,
esp. at
regular intervals, in
order to
protect or
supervise it. 2
one or
more persons or vehicles assigned or
sent out on patrol, esp. a
detachment of guards,
police, etc. 3 a a detachment of troops sent out to
reconnoitre. b
such reconnaissance. 4 a
routine operational voyage of a
ship or
aircraft. 5 a routine monitoring of
astronomical or
other phenomena. 6
Brit. an
official controlling
traffic where children cross the road. 7 a
unit of
six to
eight Scouts or Guides. --v. (patrolled, patrolling) 1 tr.
carry out a patrol
of. 2 intr. act as a patrol. øpatrol
car a police car used in patrolling roads
and streets. patrol
wagon esp. US a police van
for transporting prisoners. øøpatroller n. [F patrouiller paddle in
mud f. patte
paw: (n.) f. G Patrolle f. F patrouille]