a subdivision of a company of soldiers, usually forming a tactical unit that is commanded by a subaltern or lieutenant and divided into three sections 排 ■a group of people acting together 一队,一组 platoons of sharp lawyers. 伶牙俐齿的律师群体。 ■[as modifier](in South Africa) denoting a school or schooling system in which two separate sets of teachers and pupils use the same buildings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon (南非)(师生分为上、下午两部共用校舍轮流上课的)两部制学校 ■[as modifier](Baseball)engaged in platooning (棒球)同位替补的 a platoon player. 同位替补队员。
verb
[with obj.](in South Africa) apply the platoon system to (a school) (南非)(学校)实行两部制
语源
mid 17th cent.: from French peloton 'platoon', literally 'small ball', diminutive of pelote