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Flock vs Squadron - What's the difference?

flock | squadron |

As nouns the difference between flock and squadron

is that flock is a large number of birds, especially those gathered together for the purpose of migration while squadron is primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.

As a verb flock

is to congregate in or head towards a place in large numbers.

flock

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) . More at (l).

Noun

(en noun)
  • A large number of birds, especially those gathered together for the purpose of migration.
  • A large number of animals, especially sheep or goats kept together.
  • Those served by a particular pastor or shepherd.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1995 , author=Green Key Books , title=God's Word to the Nations (John 10:16) citation , passage=I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd. }}
  • * Tennyson
    • As half amazed, half frighted all his flock .
  • A large number of people.
  • * Bible, 2 Macc. xiv. 14
    • The heathen came to Nicanor by flocks .
    Synonyms
    * congregation, bunch, gaggle, horde, host, legion, litter, nest, rabble, swarm, throng, wake

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To congregate in or head towards a place in large numbers.
    • People flocked to the cinema to see the new film.
  • * Dryden
    • Friends daily flock .
  • (obsolete) To flock to; to crowd.
  • * 1609 , Taylor
    • Good fellows, trooping, flocked me so.
  • To treat a pool with chemicals to remove suspended particles.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Coarse tufts of wool or cotton used in bedding
  • A lock of wool or hair.
  • *(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)
  • *:I prythee, Tom, beat Cut's saddle, put a few flocks in the point [pommel].
  • Very fine sifted woollen refuse, especially that from shearing the nap of cloths, formerly used as a coating for wallpaper to give it a velvety or clothlike appearance; also, the dust of vegetable fibre used for a similar purpose.
  • *
  • *:There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock -paper on the walls.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To coat a surface with dense fibers or particles.

    • squadron

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Noun

  • (en noun) (abbreviated to: sqn)
  • (obsolete) Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square.
    • "Those half-rounding guards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined." -Milton.
  • (military, army) A body of cavalry comprising two companies or troops, and averaging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred soldiers.
  • (military, navy) A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron.
  • (military, air force) A tactical air force unit; consists of at least two flights; multiple squadrons make up a group or wing (depending on particular air force).

    • Derived terms

    * flying squadron * squaddie / squaddy * Squadron Leader, squadron leader