pavis

noun

pav·​is
variants or pavise or less commonly pavais
ˈpavə̇s
plural pavises
: a large shield covering the whole body used especially in siege operations to protect crossbowmen and sometimes carried by a pavisor before a knight or archer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pavis, pavise, from Middle French pavais, from Old Italian pavese, probably from pavese of Pavia, city in northeast Italy where pavises were made, from Pavia + -ese

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Dictionary Entries Near pavis

Paviotso

pavis

pavisade

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Cite this Entry

“Pavis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pavis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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