n. & v.
n. 1 a level or rank in an organization, in society, etc.; those occupying it (often in pl. : the upper echelons). 2 Mil. a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, etc., in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting further than the one in front (in echelon).
v.tr. arrange in an echelon.
[ F échelon f. échelle ladder f. L scala ]