Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A military punishment in which the offender is compelled to walk up and down for a certain number of hours in full marching order, with arms, ammunition, knapsack, and overcoat.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • In England the voluntary recruit served as utterly as any Turk, except that the growth of civil decency had taken away from authority the resource of inflicting direct physical pain: but in practice, upon our less obtuse population, the effects of pack-drill or fatigues fell little short of an Oriental system.

    Seven Pillars of Wisdom Thomas Edward 2003

  • So many days of sleeping in the guard tent, extra fatigues, pack-drill, and perhaps a couple of hours tied up, as an example to evil-doers.

    A Student in Arms Second Series Donald Hankey

  • Mulvaney was doing pack-drill -- was compelled, that is to say, to walk up and down for certain hours in full marching order, with rifle, bayonet, ammunition, knapsack, and overcoat.

    Indian Tales Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • Yes, it's pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B. For "drunk and resisting the Guard!"

    Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • O it's pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B. For "drunk and resisting the Guard!"

    Verses 1889-1896 Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • Now to meet an esteemed friend doing pack-drill outside the guardroom is embarrassing, especially if you happen to be walking with his Commanding Officer.

    Indian Tales Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • So it's pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B. For "drunk and resisting the Guard."

    Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • O it's pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B. For "drunk and resisting the Guard!"

    Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • So it's pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B. For "drunk and resisting the Guard."

    Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • I saw a story in Private Mulvaney's eye; and besides, if he stayed too long at the bar, he would, I knew, qualify for more pack-drill.

    Indian Tales Rudyard Kipling 1900

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