legion
UK: ˈliːdʒən | US: ˈliːdʒən
n. a large military unit in ancient Rome
n. a vast number of people or things
n. (historical) a division of the Roman army
The word "legion" originates from Latin legio, derived from legere ("to choose" or "to gather"). In ancient Rome, a legion was a selected or gathered body of soldiers, reflecting its root meaning of assembly. Over time, it evolved to denote a large military unit and later generalized to mean any vast multitude. The suffix -ion nominalizes the action, turning the verb "to gather" into a noun representing the gathered entity.
The Roman legion marched across Europe with unmatched discipline.
A legion of fans awaited the celebrity outside the hotel.
Historians estimate that a full legion comprised about 5,000 soldiers.
She faced a legion of challenges when starting her business.
The protest drew a legion of supporters to the city square.