Definition of quintain

< quint

quintal >

quin·tain    (kwntn) KEY 

NOUN:

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

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ETYMOLOGY:
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