GRIFFE, Fr. means literally a claw, but in a military sense, as accepted by the French, it signifies an iron instrument which is made like a hook, and is used by miners to pick out the small stones that are incorporated with cement, &c.
GRIGNON, Fr. broken biscuit.
GRISONS, a people formerly in alliance with the British but since annexed to Swisserland. They inhabit the mountainous parts of the Alps in Italy, and supported a well organised army, called the army of the Grisons, under general Macdonald during the war.
GROS, Fr. A body of soldiers; a detachment. The French frequently say—Un gros de cavalerie, a body of cavalry; un gros d’infanterie, a body of infantry.
GROUND. The field or place of action.
Ground-work, in military architecture. See [Foundation].
Ground arms, an old word of command on which the soldiers laid down their arms upon the ground.
This word of command has been exploded since the introduction of the new exercise. Soldiers are now ordered to pile or stack arms.
To take Ground. A battalion or company is said to take ground when it extends in any given direction. This term is likewise used in duelling, as—They took their ground at eight or ten paces from one another.
GRUE, Fr. A crane. It is frequently used in the embarkation and debarkation of cannon, &c.