trainband Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a company of militia in England or America from the 16th century to the 18th century

WordNet

Train"band` noun
Wordforms
plural Trainbands
Definitions
  1. A band or company of an organized military force instituted by James I. and dissolved by Charles II.; -- afterwards applied to the London militia. Eng.
    He felt that, without some better protection than that of the trainbands and Beefeaters, his palace and person would hardly be secure. Macaulay.
    A trainband captain eke was he Of famous London town. Cowper.

Webster 1913