\Squad"ron\, n. [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron,
or It. squadrone. See {Squad}.]
1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a
   body of troops drawn up in a square. [R.]
         Those half-rounding quards Just met, and, closing,
         stood in squadron joined.             --Milton.
2. (Mil.) A body of cavarly comparising two companies or
   troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to two
   hundred men.
3. (Naut.) A detachment of vessels employed on any particular
   service or station, under the command of the senior
   officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron. --Totten.
{Flying squadron}, a squadron of observation or practice,
   that cruises rapidly about from place to place. --Ham.
                                               Nav. Encyc.