Guidons

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of banner or flag, often used in military or organizational contexts, that serves to identify a specific unit or group
2. A small flag typically attached to a pole or staff that symbolizes identity, pride, or allegiance of a particular faction
3. A distinguishing emblem used to mark positions and convey signals on the battlefield or during ceremonial events

Etymology: "Guidons" is the plural of "guidon," a word that came into English from French "guidon," which in turn was borrowed from Italian "guidone." The Italian form points to a simple chain of meaning: "guidone" is an augmentative built on "guida," a guide or leader, so the original sense was something like a large marker that leads the way. The word's usefulness on the battlefield follows from that idea. A guidon is a small, often swallow-tailed flag carried by a cavalry troop or a mounted unit, and its job was to show soldiers where their unit stood in the line and where to rally when the formation scattered. Armies needed something visible above the smoke and dust, and a flag that could be seen across a field did that work. Because the same flags were carried in ceremonies, the word now covers both martial and parade-ground use.

Synonyms: flags, banners, standards, pennants