brig

n. A bridge. [ Scot. ] Burns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Shortened from Brigantine. ] (Naut.) A two-masted, square-rigged vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hermaphrodite brig, a two-masted vessel square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft. See Illustration in Appendix. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. brigade, fr. It. brigata troop, crew, brigade, originally, a contending troop, fr. briga trouble, quarrel. See Brigand. ] 1. (Mil.) A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments, under the command of a brigadier general. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Two or more brigades constitute a division, commanded by a major general; two or more divisions constitute an army corps, or corps d'armée. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any body of persons organized for acting or marching together under authority; as, a fire brigade. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brigade inspector, an officer whose duty is to inspect troops in companies before they are mustered into service. --
Brigade major, an officer who may be attached to a brigade to assist the brigadier in his duties. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Brigaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Brigading. ] (Mil.) To form into a brigade, or into brigades. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ F. brigadier, fr. brigade. ] (Mil.) An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a shortening of his title, simple a brigadier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. brigand, OF. brigant light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue. ] 1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti. Jeffery. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. brigandage. ] Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. brigandine (cf. It. brigantina), fr. OF. brigant. See Brigand. ] A coast of armor for the body, consisting of scales or plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal, and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the Middle Ages. [ Written also brigantine. ] Jer. xlvi. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet,
And brigandine of brass. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]