aides-de-camp

aides-de-camp

The general's aides-de-camp stand at attention during the ceremony.

Definition
  1. Noun (plural of ):
    • Military assistants: "aides-de-camp" refer to officers who serve as personal assistants or secretaries to a senior officer, general, or high-ranking official, typically in a military context.
    • Adjutants: They are responsible for relaying orders, managing correspondence, and performing administrative duties for their superior.
Usage Examples
  • (The officers assisting the general were preparing documents.)
  • (Personal military assistants traveled with the head of state.)
  • (He acted as a personal aide to the monarch.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to act as aides-de-camp": to fulfill the role of a personal assistant to a high-ranking officer.

    • The young lieutenants were chosen to act as aides-de-camp to the field marshal. (They were selected to assist the senior commander.)

  • "aides-de-camp to the sovereign": In some monarchies, this phrase refers to honorary military appointments serving the reigning monarch.

    • Colonels of the guard were appointed as aides-de-camp to the sovereign. (They held ceremonial roles assisting the king or queen.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Aide-de-camp (singular noun): an individual officer serving as a personal assistant.

    • The aide-de-camp delivered the confidential report. (The singular assistant carried out the task.)

  • Aide (noun): a general term for an assistant or helper, not necessarily military.

    • She works as an aide to the senator. (She is a general assistant.)
Synonyms
  • Adjutant: a military officer who acts as an administrative assistant.
  • Assistant: a person who helps a more senior person.
  • Secretary: a person employed to handle correspondence and manage tasks.
Related Idioms
  • "Aide-de-camp to fortune": a rare, literary phrase meaning someone who serves a powerful or wealthy person.
    • He was nothing more than an aide-de-camp to fortune, never making his own decisions. (He was merely a servant to the wealthy.)
Grammar Notes
  • Plural form: "aides-de-camp" is the standard plural; the singular is "aide-de-camp."
  • Hyphenation: Always hyphenated as "aide-de-camp" (singular) and "aides-de-camp" (plural).
  • Pronunciation: /ˈeɪd də ˈkɑ̃/ (singular), /ˈeɪdz də ˈkɑ̃/ (plural).