(~s)
1.
A ~ is a large group of soldiers who form one section of an army.
...the Sudan-based troops of the Libyan Islamic Legion...
N-COUNT: oft in names after n
2.
A ~ of people or things is a great number of them. (WRITTEN)
His delightful sense of humour won him a ~ of friends.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
3.
If you say that things of a particular kind are ~, you mean that there are a great number of them. (FORMAL)
Ellie’s problems are ~...
ADJ: v-link ADJ