squadrilla

English

Etymology

Blend of squadron +‎ flotilla?

Noun

squadrilla (plural squadrillas)

1. (dated) A squadron, whether of boats or of airplanes.
   • 1918, René Louis Jules Radiguet, The Making of a Modern Army and Its Operations in the Field, page 36:

     One must lay down as a rule, and we here repeat the opinion expressed by famous aviators, that every attack, whether by a single machine or by a squadrilla, must always be carried out with the utmost vigour.

   • 1957, Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute, page 897:

     Commander Bragadin was, at the outset of the war, a reserve officer in command of a “squadrilla” of motor torpedo boats.

   • 1958, Curtis Daniel MacDougall, Hoaxes, page 116:

     […] with a squadrilla to meet the aviators, and as soon as the plane was visible from the shore, ship sirens and whistles blew and flags flew from every mast.