Abteilung

Abteilung (shortened Abt) is a German language word often used when referring to German or Swiss military formations (although the German uses the term in a more civilian fashion, e.g. Abteilung = office department). Depending on its usage this term could mean detachment, department or battalion. In the Second World War, the term Abteilung generally referred to battalion-sized formations in the armoured, cavalry, reconnaissance and artillery arms of the Heer and Waffen SS. Exceptions to the word meaning battalion were Army-Abteilung and Korps-Abteilung. In these cases terms Army Detachment and Corps Detachment can be substituted.
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n. compartment, enclosed area (cell, cabin, etc.); division, section; department; district; area, domain

f department