sentry

Alternative forms

• centry, sentrie, sentery (obsolete)

Etymology

From earlier sentrie, sentery, of uncertain origin. Perhaps an alteration of sentinel or sanctuary; or perhaps from Old French senteret (“a path”), diminutive of sentier, from Medieval Latin semitarius (“a path”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɛntɹi/

Noun

sentry (plural sentries)

1. A guard, particularly on duty at the entrance to a military base.
2. (uncountable) Sentry duty; time spent being a sentry.
3. (nautical) A form of drag to be towed underwater, which on striking bottom is upset and rises to the surface.

See also

• sentinel

Anagrams

• Tyners