quin·tain (kw n t n)n. A post or an object mounted on a post, used as a target in tilting exercises. [Middle English quintaine, from Old French, probably from Latin qu  nt na (via), fifth (street in a Roman camp, supposedly used for military exercises), from quntus, fifth; see penkwe in Indo-European roots.] |
quintain [ˈkwɪntɪn]
n (esp in medieval Europe)
1. (Historical Terms) a post or target set up for tilting exercises for mounted knights or foot soldiers
2. (Historical Terms) the exercise of tilting at such a target
[from Old French quintaine, from Latin: street in a Roman camp between the fifth and sixth maniples, from quintus fifth]
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