Usage Note
Éclaireur derives from éclairer (to light the way/reconnoitre) and denotes a military scout or, in civilian life, a Boy Scout (historically les éclaireurs was an early French scouting organisation). The feminine form is éclaireuse. Partir en éclaireur means to go ahead and check things out.
Examples
"Il est parti en éclaireur pour repérer le terrain."
Natural Translation
He went ahead as a scout to survey the terrain.
Literal Translation
He left as a scout to spot the terrain.
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