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Glite Dictionary
pavis

pavis

9.9
A large heavy shield used in the Middle Ages to protect the whole body
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : pavis
  • Knights often used a pavis to protect themselves from volleys of arrows.

Examples

  • The museum's medieval collection includes a well-preserved pavis from the 15th century.

  • The knight raised his pavis to block the arrows.

  • During the siege, the archers took cover behind a pavis while reloading their crossbows.

  • During the siege, soldiers used pavises for protection.

  • During the siege, the archers took cover behind a pavis while reloading their crossbows.

  • Knights often used a pavis to protect themselves from volleys of arrows.

  • The knight raised his pavis to block incoming arrows.

Synonyms

shield
vspavis
476 2.9

A broad piece of armor held to protect someone from harm

refers specifically to a large heavy oblong medieval full body protector
pavise
vspavis
  • Archaic
9.9

A large heavy shield used in the Middle Ages to protect the whole body

has identical meaning but uses an alternative historical spelling

Surface Forms

pavis singular
pavises plural

Etymology

The word pavis probably comes from the Italian town Pavia and originally meant a shield 'from Pavia'. So a pavis is a large, heavy shield that could cover a whole person or be set up as a barrier to protect soldiers from arrows.