Trooper

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtɹuːpÉ™(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -uːpÉ™(ɹ)

Origin

From troop + -er, from French troupe.

Sense of cavalry soldier attested 1640, mounted policeman 1858 (Australia), state policeman 1911 (US). The sense of "one who endures adversity" comes from English trouper ("member of an acting troupe"), 1959, but through assimilation with the sense of "soldier" has come to be usually spelled "trooper".

Full definition of trooper

Noun

1. (military) A soldier of private rank in cavalry or armour. Abbreviated Tpr.
2. A cavalry horse; charger.
3. A soldier.
4. (British) A troopship.
5. (US) A state trooper.
6. One who endures adversity or hardship with an attitude of stoicism and persistence.He was a real trooper about taking care of the kids for the weekend.

Synonyms

• (military) cavalryman, horse soldier, crewman, armoured soldier, armored soldier
• (military) zipperhead Canadian military slang
• (person able to endure hardship) survivor, tough cookie

Derived terms

• swear like a trooper

Related terms

• trouper

Anagrams

• potrero