grenadier definition

1. Originaly, a soldier who carried and threw grenades; afterward, one of a company attached to each regiment or battalion, taking post on the right of the line, and wearing a peculiar uniform. In modern times, a member of a special regiment or corps; as, a grenadier of the guard of Napoleon I. One of the regiment of Grenadier Guards of the British army, etc.

2. <zoology> Any marine fish of the genus Macrurus, in which the body and tail taper to a point; they mostly inhabit the deep sea; called also onion fish, and rat-tail fish.

3. <zoology> A bright-coloured South African grosbeak (Pyromelana orix), having the back red and the lower parts black.

Origin: F. Grenadier. See Grenade.

(01 Mar 1998)