
Noah Webster
Squadron
SQUADRON, noun [Latin , to square; four.]
1. In its primary sense, a square or square form; and hence, a square body of troops; a body drawn up in a square. So Milton has used the word.
Those half rounding guards just met, and closing stood in squadron joind.
[This sense is probably obsolete, unless in poetry.]
2. A body of troops, infantry or cavalry, indefinite in number.
3. A division of a fleet; a detachment of ships of war, employed on a particular expedition; or one third part of a naval armament.