Quincunx, R. (i. e. five-twelfths of anything). (1) A Roman bronze coin, equivalent to five-twelfths of an as, and weighing five ounces (unciæ). (2) An arrangement of five objects in a square; one at each corner, and one in the middle. (3) In gardening, said of trees planted in oblique rows of three and two, or in a quincunx (No. 2).
Quincupedal, R. A rod five feet in length, for taking measurements in masonry.
Quindecagon. A plane figure having fifteen sides and fifteen angles.
Quinite. A Spanish textile of hair with silk or other thread.
Quinquagesima, Chr. The fiftieth day before Easter; Shrove Sunday. (S.)
Quinquatrus (or —ia), R. Festivals of Minerva, celebrated on the 19th of March. They lasted five days; on the first no blood was shed, but on the last four there were contests of gladiators. Another festival called Quinquatrus minores, also in honour of Minerva, was celebrated on the ides of June.
Quinquennalia, R. Games celebrated every four years at Rome; instituted by Nero, A. D. 60. They consisted of music, gymnastical contests, and horse-races.
Quinqueremis, R. A galley with five banks of oars.
Quinquertium, R. (Gr. Pentathlon). A gymnastic contest of Greek origin, so called because it consisted of five exercises, viz. leaping, running, wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear. Introduced in the Olympic games in Ol. 18.
Quintain, O. E. A post set up to be tilted at by mounted soldiers; sometimes a man turning on a pivot; sometimes a flat board, on a pivot, with a heavy bag of sand at the other end, which knocked the tilter on the back if he charged unskilfully. (See Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 89, Plates ix. and x.)