pavis

or pav·ise

[pav-is]

noun

a large oblong shield of the late 14th through the early 16th centuries, often covering the entire body and used especially by archers and soldiers of the infantry.

Origin of pavis

1350–1400; Middle English paveys < Middle French pavais < Old Italian pavese literally, of Pavia; see -ese

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pavise

Historical Examples of pavise

The shield itself or pavise was large, made of wood covered with skin, and surrounded with a broad rim of iron.
Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2)
John Roby
The former monarch devised for them a system of tactics, in which the pavise was made to play a prominent part.
The Art of War in the Middle Ages A.D. 378-1515
C. W. C. Oman

British Dictionary definitions for pavise

pavis

pavise

noun

a large square shield, developed in the 15th century, at first portable but later heavy and set up in a permanent position

Word Origin for pavis

C14: from Old French pavais, from Italian pavese of Pavia, Italian city where these shields were originally made

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012