quintain

quin·tain  (kwntn)

n.

A post or an object mounted on a post, used as a target in tilting exercises.

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[Middle English quintaine, from Old French, probably from Latin quntna (via), fifth (street in a Roman camp, supposedly used for military exercises), from quntus, fifth; see penk^we in Indo-European roots.]

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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]