a subdivision of an army, typically consisting of a small number of infantry battalions and/or other units and typically forming part of a division 旅 he commanded a brigade of 3,000 men. 他指挥一个旅,有3,000名士兵。 ■an organization with a specific purpose, typically with a military or quasi-military structure (尤指)执行特定任务的)队 a volunteer ambulance brigade. 志愿救护队。 ■[insing.][with adj. or noun modidier](informal, often derogatory)a group of people with a characteristic in common (非正式, 常 贬)有共同特点的人群,同道者 the anti-smoking brigade. 反吸烟组织。
verb
[with obj.](rare)form into a brigade (罕)把…编成旅(或队) ■associate with (someone or something) 使结合,与…有联系 they thought the speech too closely brigaded with illegal action. 他们认为这番话与非法行为联系过紧。
语源
mid 17th cent.: from French, from Italian brigata company, from brigare contend, from briga 'strife'