quintain

noun

quin·​tain ˈkwin-tᵊn How to pronounce quintain (audio)
: an object to be tilted at
especially : a post with a revolving crosspiece that has a target at one end and a sandbag at the other end

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quintaine, from Anglo-French, perhaps from Latin quintana street in a Roman camp separating the fifth maniple from the sixth where a market was held, from feminine of quintanus fifth in rank, from quintus fifth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quintain was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near quintain

Quintadena

quintain

quintal

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Quintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quintain. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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