BRIGADE, a unit in military organization commanded by a major-general, brigadier or colonel, and composed of two or more regiments of infantry, cavalry or artillery (Fr. and Ger. brigade, Ital. brigata, Span. brigada; the English use of the word dates from the early 17th century). The British infantry brigade con sists as a rule of four battalions with supply, transport and medi cal units attached; the cavalry brigade of three regiments of cav alry. An artillery "brigade" is in Great Britain a smaller unit, forming a lieut.-colonel's command and consisting of four bat teries. (See ARMY, ARTILLERY, INFANTRY and CAVALRY.) The staff of an infantry or cavalry brigade in peace consists of the brigadier (q.v.) commanding, and the brigade-major, a staff-officer whose duties are intermediate between those of an adjutant and those of a general staff officer. In war, a staff captain is added for adminis trative duties, as well as various specialist officers, e.g., intelligence, machine-gun, transport.