[f. prec., or ad. Fr. échelonner.] trans. To arrange (troops) in the form of an echelon; to dispose in divisions at successive intervals. Mostly in pa. pple.; also absol.
1864. Sat. Rev., 380/2. 150,000 troops echelonned over the country.
1879. Daily News, 1 March, 5/7. To echelon the flanks of the attacking force somewhat to the rear.
b. transf. and fig.
c. 1860. Wraxall, trans. R. Houdin, xv. 213. Miseries we had to undergo, like so many pinpricks echeloned on our passage.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 10 June, 5/1. Along the infinite ascending spiral which leads from earth to heaven … the whole human race is echeloned at irregular intervals.
Hence Echeloned ppl. a.
1857. C. Adams, Gt. Campaigns, 76. The echeloned formation of his divisions.
