Guidon

/ˈɡaɪ.dən/ noun

Definition

A small flag or pennant used by the military to mark positions or signal commands during battle.

Etymology

From French 'guidon,' which comes from Italian 'guiderdone' meaning 'reward' or 'signal.' The military sense developed in European warfare from the 16th century onward.

Kelly Says

Medieval and Renaissance armies used guidons like modern GPS—cavalry soldiers could instantly locate their unit in the chaos of battle just by spotting their distinctive flag, making it a surprisingly sophisticated battlefield technology.

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