trooper

== English == === Etymology === From troop +‎ -er, from French troupe. The sense of “one who endures adversity” comes from trouper (“member of an acting troupe”) but through assimilation with the sense of “soldier” has come to be usually spelled “trooper”. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈtɹuːpə(ɹ)/ Rhymes: -uːpə(ɹ) Homophone: trouper Hyphenation: troop‧er === Noun === trooper (plural troopers) (military) A soldier of private rank in cavalry or armor. [from 1640] Synonyms: cavalryman, horse soldier, crewman, armored soldier, (Canadian military slang) zipperhead, (abbreviation) Tpr (military) A cavalry horse; a charger. (military) A soldier. (British, nautical, military) A troopship. (US, law enforcement) Ellipsis of state trooper. [from 1911] (Australia, law enforcement) A mounted policeman. [from 1858] (figurative, colloquial) Misspelling of trouper (“one who stoically endures adversity”) [from 1959]. Synonyms: survivor, tough cookie ==== Usage notes ==== In the sense of enduring adversity, the misspelling trooper has almost entirely replaced trouper. However, 'like a trouper' dates to 1933 at least, even in a non-performance context, and so is clearly the etymological origin. ==== Coordinate terms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== trouper ==== Translations ==== === Verb === trooper (third-person singular simple present troopers, present participle troopering, simple past and past participle troopered) To work as a trooper. To work steadily at an unpleasant job without complaint. === References === Katherine Barber, editor (1998), “trooper”, in The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN. Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “troop”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “troupe”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. === Anagrams === Potrero, potrero, protero-