▪ I. trooping, vbl. n.
(ˈtruːpɪŋ)
[f. troop v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb troop.
| 1809 Howell's St. Trials I. 142/2 Not for any assemblings or troopings by them formerly made within the kingdom of England, but [etc.]. 1816 [see troop v. 6]. 1885 Manch. Exam. 8 June 4/7 The chief event..was the trooping of the colours on the Horse Guards Parade. 1888 Stevenson Black Arrow 167 The great trooping of black clouds, and the cold squalls that followed one another. 1893 L. Killeen Soldiers at Sea 32 When the trooping is over for the year, the troopships lie idle in Portsmouth Harbour. 1907 Westm. Gaz. 2 Dec. 12/1 The completion of a dream of ‘trooping’, by means of which the South-Western moves our sailors and soldiers to and from the coast in any part of England without detraining for other lines. |
b. attrib.
| 1647 Caldwell Pap. (Maitl. Cl.) I. 110 Quhat they depursed..for trouping horses furnishit be them, quartering of troupers, and monethlie mantinance. 1696 Lond. Gaz. No. 3147/4 A Trooping Saddle trimmed with blue. 1882 Pall Mall G. 24 June 8/1 The preparation of the Serapis and Crocodile for the Indian trooping season can be suspended if found necessary, and they can be employed as supplementary transports. 1894 Scott. Leader 17 May 5 The Admiralty has chartered two P. & O. steamers..to begin the trooping service in September. |
▪ II. ˈtrooping, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That troops.
| 1582 Stanyhurst æneis iii. (Arb.) 83 Heere..fields of Salent with trouping clustered armye Lyctius Idomeneus dooth keepe. 1728–46 Thomson Spring 135 The little trooping birds. 1823 Chalmers Serm. I. i. 24 His people..come in trooping multitudes around him. 1843 J. Martineau Chr. Life (1867) 464 Whose trooping images the dawning light does not disperse. |