battaliat (batalia)

[Early mod. E. also ba tali a, batallia, battaglio, etc., I have made all his troops and companies Advance, and put themselves ranged in battalia. Chapman , Revenge of Bu y D'Ambois, iii. 1. 2. Milit .: (a) A large body of men in order of battle or on the march, whether a whole army or one of the great divisions of it; a host; an army. K. Rich. Who hath descried the number of the traitors? Nor . Six or seven you sand is their utmost power. K. Rich . Why, our battalia trebles that account. Shak., Rich. III., v. 3. [This is the reading of the folios; the quarto editions read battalion.] In three battalias does the king dispose His strength, which all in ready order stand, And to each other's rescue near at hand. May, Edward III. (b) The main body or center of an army. Wee quickly plac'd Jockey in the right wing, Sir John in the left wing, and Old Nick in the Battalia. Sacr. Decretal, 14. (N. E. D.)