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Webster 1913 Edition
Quintain
Quin′tain
,Noun.
[F.
quintaine
, LL. quintana
; cf. W. chwintan
a kind of hymeneal game.] An object to be tilted at; – called also
quintel
. [Written also
quintin
.] ☞ A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while riding under, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. “But a quintain, a mere lifeless block.”
Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Quintain
QUINT'AIN
,Noun.
Definition 2024
quintain
quintain
English
Noun
quintain (plural quintains)
- (now historical) An object (generally a post or plank on a support) set up as a target to be tilted at in jousting, or otherwise used as target practice. [from 15th c.]
- 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 285:
- In the tiltyard, his companions felt the juddering impact of his sword-blows and saw the muscled precision of his archery and his tilting at the quintain.
- 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 285: