Echelon

(esh'e-lon.) [Fr., a step.] (Mil.) A term which, in tactics, denotes the position of an army with one division more advanced than another, somewhat like the steps of a ladder. A battalion, regiment, ., marches en éch elon if the divisions of which it is composed do not march in one line, but on parallel lines The divisions are not exactly behind each other, bur each is to the right or left of the one preceding, so as to give the whole the appearance of a stairway. This order is used if the commander wishes to bring one part of ama into action, and to reserve the other. [s. 314]