Picketpin

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Picket \Pick"et\, n. [F. piquet, properly dim. of pique spear,
     pike. See {Pike}, and cf. {Piquet}.]
     1. A stake sharpened or pointed, especially one used in
        fortification and encampments, to mark bounds and angles;
        or one used for tethering horses.
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     2. A pointed pale, used in marking fences.
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     3. [Probably so called from the picketing of the horses.]
        (Mil.) A detached body of troops serving to guard an army
        from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the
        enemy; -- called also {outlying picket}.
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     4. By extension, men appointed by a trades union, or other
        labor organization, to intercept outsiders, and prevent
        them from working for employers with whom the organization
        is at variance. [Cant]
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     5. A military punishment, formerly resorted to, in which the
        offender was forced to stand with one foot on a pointed
        stake.
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     6. A game at cards. See {Piquet}.
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     {Inlying picket} (Mil.), a detachment of troops held in camp
        or quarters, detailed to march if called upon.
  
     {Picket fence}, a fence made of pickets. See def. 2, above.
        
  
     {Picket guard} (Mil.), a guard of horse and foot, always in
        readiness in case of alarm.
  
     {Picket line}. (Mil.)
        (a) A position held and guarded by small bodies of men
            placed at intervals.
        (b) A rope to which horses are secured when groomed.
  
     {Picketpin}, an iron pin for picketing horses.
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