sentry
oxford
views updated Jun 11 2018sen·try / ˈsentrē/ •
n. (pl. -tries) a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place.PHRASES: stand sentry keep guard or control access to a place.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
sentry
oxford
views updated May 23 2018sentry †sentinel; armed member of the fighting forces set to keep guard. XVII. perh. shortening of †
centrinell,
-onel (XVI), vars. of
SENTINEL, with assim. to
-RY. comp.
sentry-go, †orig. phr. consisting of
sentry sb. (used vocatively) and imper. of Go; (hence) patrol or duties of a s. XIX.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
