battalia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Military History
Quick answer
What does “battalia” mean?
An obsolete term for the main body of an army in battle array, or the order of battle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An obsolete term for the main body of an army in battle array, or the order of battle.
It can also refer, in its most common modern usage, to a misspelling or mishearing of 'battalion', a military unit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference; the word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
In its correct archaic sense, it conveys a formal, 16th-18th century military-historical context. The 'battalion' spelling variant is simply an error.
Frequency
Virtually never encountered in modern English except in historical texts or as a spelling mistake.
Grammar
How to Use “battalia” in a Sentence
[The army/regiment] was set in battalia.The general drew up his forces in battalia.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “battalia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A
Academic
Rarely used in historical or literary studies discussing early modern warfare.
Everyday
Almost never used. May appear as a misspelling of 'battalion'.
Technical
Found in older military treatises; no modern military application.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “battalia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “battalia”
- Using it to mean 'battalion'.
- Spelling 'battalion' as 'battalia'.
- Assuming it is a common modern word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It specifically refers to the ordered formation or arrangement of an army for battle, not the fight itself.
It is stylistically anachronistic; while understood, it was largely obsolete by that period. Use 'battalion' or 'line of battle' instead.
Pronounced /bəˈtæljə/ (US) or /bəˈtɑːlɪə/ (UK), with stress on the second syllable.
Yes, but it is usually labelled as 'archaic' or 'obsolete' in its original sense, and sometimes noted as a variant of 'battalion'.
An obsolete term for the main body of an army in battle array, or the order of battle.
Battalia is usually archaic, literary, military history in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set in battalia”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Battle Area' – an area where an army is arranged for battle.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ARMY IS A TOOL = the battalia is the tool being arranged for use.
Practice
Quiz
In modern usage, 'battalia' is most commonly: