COMMANDO • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Commando

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noun

Commando n.

In South Africa, a military body or command; also, sometimes, an expedition or raid; as, a commando of a hundred Boers. "The war bands, called commandos, have played a great part in the... military history of the country."

A usually small military unit trained to perform special missions, often behind enemy lines, and usually employing hit-and-run tactics. Such units often have the destruction of fixed targets, such as enemy installations, as their mission, in contrast to normal combat units which engage the enemy army directly.

A member of a commando (2) unit.

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Etymology of 'Commando'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Commando" Quotes from Famous Books

... "Yes, sor, the commando. D'ye suppose ye are to have the protection of the State, and do nothing again' your counthry's inimies? If ye do ye're greatly mistaken. Every man must take his turn to difind the counthry, and ye may feel preciously contented that ye ...

— Charge! - A Story of Briton and Boer • George Manville Fenn

... referred to the return from Giessen of four officers sent to Giessen, and returned again to Frankfort and to Nauheim, from which they came. I referred in this letter to the commander of the XVIIIth. Army Corps here. The commando is in charge of Excellenz de Graaf, who has, as he tells me, an American wife, and who through the past few months has shown this consulate all possible consideration, as it seems to Mr. Ives and myself. Twice during the great press of the first few weeks of the war, ...

— The Better Germany in War Time - Being some Facts towards Fellowship • Harold Picton

... had led the mob had run out into the middle of the road. His commando was a little disposed to assume a marginal position, and it had to be reassured. He was near enough for Benham to see his face. For a time it looked anxious and thoughtful. Then he seemed to jump to his decision. He unbuttoned and opened his coat wide as if ...

— The Research Magnificent • H. G. Wells

... with the exception of the hired natives, is summoned for the maintenance of order, for commando duty on the occasion of home rebellion, and without any exception for the protection of the country, and to fight with ...

— Selected Official Documents of the South African Republic and Great Britain • Various

... the Boer lines on an ill-starred attempt to loot cattle from the enemy's herds. After their night's dash out of the garrison they got to a hiding place for the day, but they were followed there and were surrounded by a Boer commando, which peppered them with a maxim and a big gun. They fought up to the last cartridge, but were helplessly outnumbered and outranged by the Boers, who killed ...

— Native Life in South Africa, Before and Since • Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje

Words linked to "Commando" : serviceman, armed services, military personnel, military unit, SAS, military group, military force, ranger, Sayeret Mat'kal, military, military machine, war machine, man, armed forces, military man, Special Air Service, force