squadron

Where does the word "squadron" come from? It comes from Latin quadrare, passing through Italian before entering English (1500s-1600s).

Squadron’s story begins in Latin: quadrare meant “to make square.” By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as squadrone. Named a square-formed body of troops. It reached English by 1500s-1600s as squadron. Italian 'squadrone', a large square of soldiers. Today, squadron means a unit of military aircraft, ships, or personnel.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient quadrare "to make square", meaning "to make square".
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval squadrone "a square military formation", named a square-formed body of troops.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s-1600s squadron "a unit of military ships, aircraft, or troops", Italian 'squadrone', a large square of soldiers.