Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Picket
1.
A stake sharpened or pointed, especially one used in fortification and encampments, to mark bounds and angles; or one used for tethering horses.
2.
A pointed pale, used in marking fences.
3.
[Probably so called from the
picketing
of the horses.] (Mil.)
A detached body of troops serving to guard an army from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the enemy; – called also
outlying picket
. 4.
By extension, men appointed by a trades union, or other labor organization, to intercept outsiders, and prevent them from working for employers with whom the organization is at variance.
[Cant]
5.
A military punishment, formerly resorted to, in which the offender was forced to stand with one foot on a pointed stake.
6.
A game at cards. See
Piquet
. Inlying picket
(Mil.)
, a detachment of troops held in camp or quarters, detailed to march if called upon.
– Picket fence
, a fence made of pickets. See def. 2, above.
– Picket guard
(Mil.)
, a guard of horse and foot, always in readiness in case of alarm.
– Picket line
. (Mil.)
(a)
A position held and guarded by small bodies of men placed at intervals
. (b)
A rope to which horses are secured when groomed.
– Picketpin
, an iron pin for picketing horses.
Pick′et
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Picketed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Picketing
.] 1.
To fortify with pointed stakes.
2.
To inclose or fence with pickets or pales.
3.
To tether to, or as to, a picket;
as, to
. picket
a horse4.
To guard, as a camp or road, by an outlying picket.
5.
To torture by compelling to stand with one foot on a pointed stake.
[Obs.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Picket
PICK'ET
,Noun.
1.
A narrow board pointed; used in making fence.2.
A guard posted in front of an army to give notice of the approach of the enemy.3.
A game at cards. [See Piquet.]4.
A punishment with consists in making the offender stand with one foot on a pointed stake.PICK'ET
,Verb.
T.
1.
To inclose or fence with narrow pointed boards.2.
To fasten to a picket.