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Glite Dictionary
pavise

pavise

9.9
A large heavy shield used in the Middle Ages to protect the whole body
  • noun
  • /ˈpævɪs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : pavés
  • The museum displayed a well-preserved 15th-century pavise with elaborate heraldic designs.

Examples

  • During the siege, soldiers placed the pavise upright to shield themselves from arrows.

  • Archers would hide behind a pavise while reloading their crossbows on the battlefield.

  • The knight raised his pavise to shield himself from arrows.

  • During the siege, soldiers used pavises to protect themselves.

  • Archers would hide behind a pavise while reloading their crossbows on the battlefield.

  • During the siege, soldiers placed the pavise upright to shield themselves from arrows.

  • The knight raised his pavise to protect his body from incoming projectiles.

Synonyms

shield
vspavise
476 2.9

A broad piece of armor held to protect someone from harm

is specific to one large medieval heavy body covering used in fixed position
pavis
vspavise
  • Archaic
9.9

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

has identical meaning but appears in a variant written form
mantlet
vspavise
  • Specialized
9.9

A movable shield that protects soldiers from enemy fire

is a single large medieval body armor piece rather than a modern shelter barrier
protective covering
vspavise
3.2

Something you put over a thing to keep it safe from damage

is a specific medieval heavy body protective item not any simple covering

How Protective

pavise
  • Archaic
9.9
shield
476 2.9
buckler
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Surface Forms

pavise singular
pavises plural

Etymology

Pavise comes from the Old French word pavis, which meant 'shield'. Because these shields were very large and could hide a whole person or be placed upright on the ground, pavise now means a heavy, long shield used to protect the whole body.