from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Grenadier \Gren`a*dier"\, n. [F. grenadier. See {Grenade}.]
1. (Mil.) Originaly, a soldier who carried and threw
grenades; afterward, one of a company attached to each
regiment or battalion, taking post on the right of the
line, and wearing a peculiar uniform. In modern times, a
member of a special regiment or corps; as, a grenadier of
the guard of Napoleon I. one of the regiment of Grenadier
Guards of the British army, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The feats of grenadiers have been memorialized in song,
as in the following: (for the melody see
http://www.acronet.net/~robokopp/english.html)
Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules / The
British Grenadiers ca. 18th Century The British
Grenadiers
Some talk of Alexander,
And some of Hercules
Of Hector and Lysander,
And such great names as these.
But of all the world's great heroes,
There's none that can compare
With a tow, row, row, row, row, row,
To the British Grenadier.
2. Those heroes of antiquity
Ne'er saw a cannon ball
Or knew the force of powder
To slay their foes withall.
But our brave boys do know it,
And banish all their fears,
Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row,
For the British Grenadier.
3. Whene'er we are commanded
To storm the palisades
Our leaders march with fusees,
And we with hand grenades.
We throw them from the glacis,
About the enemies' ears.
Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row,
The British Grenadiers.
4. And when the siege is over,
We to the town repair
The townsmen cry, "Hurra, boys,
Here comes a Grenadier!"
Here come the Grenadiers, my boys,
Who know no doubts or fears!
Then sing tow, row, row, row, row, row,
The British Grenadiers.
5. Then let us fill a bumper,
And drink a health to those
Who carry caps and pouches,
And wear the louped clothes.
May they and their commanders
Live happy all their years
With a tow, row, row, row, row, row,
For the British Grenadiers.
2. (Zool.) Any marine fish of the genus {Macrurus}, in which
the body and tail taper to a point; they mostly inhabit
the deep sea; -- called also {onion fish}, and {rat-tail
fish}.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) A bright-colored South African grosbeak
({Pyromelana orix}), having the back red and the lower
parts black.
[1913 Webster]