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quintain

(kwin′tin)

noun

an object supported by a crosspiece on a post, used by knights as a target in tilting

Origin: ME qwaintan < OFr quintaine < ML quintana < L quintana (via), street in a Roman camp separating the fifth maniple from the sixth (later, marketplace) < quintanus, of the fifth < quintus, fifth: see quintet

See quintain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A post or an object mounted on a post, used as a target in tilting exercises.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English quintaine

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , probably from Latin quīntāna (via), fifth (street in a Roman camp, supposedly used for military exercises)

Origin: , from quīntus, fifth; see penk^we in Indo-European roots

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