Geschwader

== German == === Etymology === 16th century, from ge- (collective prefix) +‎ Schwader. The latter is from Middle High German swader, from Italian squadra. The sense “group of birds” (16th century and thus predating aviation) is derived from the cavalry use. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɡəˈʃvaːdəʁ/, [ɡəˈʃʋaːdɐ] === Noun === Geschwader n (strong, genitive Geschwaders, plural Geschwader) (navy) squadron (formation) (military aviation) a formation, now equivalent to a wing (RAF) or group (USAF), in earlier use (WWI) to a squadron (obsolete) synonym of Schwadron (“formation of cavalry”) (figurative) a group of animals, chiefly birds ==== Declension ==== ==== Derived terms ==== Jagdgeschwader Kampfgeschwader === Further reading === (English) Geschwader on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “Geschwader” in Duden online “Geschwader” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache