Old Guard

  1. the imperial guard, organized by Napoleon I in 1804
  2. any group that has long defended a cause
  3. the most conservative element of a group, party, etc.

Origin: transl. of Fr Vieille Garde: so named in contrast to the Young Guard, formed (1810)

See Old Guard in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also Old Guard

noun
A conservative, often reactionary element of a class, society, or political group.

Origin:

Origin: Translation of French Vieille Garde, the imperial guard of Napoleon I

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