quinte

American  

[kant, kant] / kɛ̃t, kænt /

noun

Fencing.

1. the fifth of eight defensive positions.

---

quinte British  

/ kɛ̃t /

noun

1. the fifth of eight basic positions from which a parry or attack can be made in fencing

---

Etymology

Origin of quinte

From French, dating back to 1700–10; see origin at quint ¹

Example Sentences

T. Austin, 1888, 8vo; "The Book of quinte essence," about 1460-70, ed.

From A Literary History of the English People From the Origins to the Renaissance by Jusserand, Jean Jules

"Tierce, quarte, quinte, flanconade, single attack, double attack, lunge."

From Tales of the Wonder Club Volume I by Halidom, M. Y.

The French express the space of one week by "huit jours", the origin of the "octave" in English law; of two by "quinte jours".

From The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle by Ingram, J. H. (James Henry)

Sie klingen auch dicker und f�llen besser aus als die �bert�ubende und schreyende Clarinen, weil sie um eine ganze quinte tiefer stehen.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 6 "Home, Daniel" to "Hortensius, Quintus" by Various

My lord opened the attack after a few moments' cautious circling, lunging swiftly and recovering, even as the Duke countered and delivered a lightning riposte en quinte.

From The Black Moth A Romance of the XVIIIth Century by Heyer, Georgette