Pax (H. V. iii. 6), a piece of wood or metal, with the picture of Christ upon it, which was given to the people to kiss at the end of divine service.
Pensioners (M. W. ii. 2, M. N. D. ii. 1). The band of Gentlemen Pensioners was instituted by Queen Elizabeth. It was composed of tall handsome young men, of rank and fortune, who were splendidly attired.
Pict-hatch (M. W. ii. 2) is said to have been a noted tavern or brothel in Turnbull-street, Clerkenwell. The picked hatch or half-door with spikes (whence the name) was a common defence of brothels.
Piece, one, individual. It was, and is, used in English, French, and other languages, both of persons and things. So we say a piece of cannon, a fowling-piece, pieces of money, so much a-piece, i.e. to each, etc. A remarkable instance of this use of piece occurs in the Roman de la Rose (ver. 16099), where it denotes the individuals of the various species formed by Nature.
"Voyez la bonne pièce avec ses révérences!"
Corneille, Le Menteur, v. 5.
The critics are quite wrong in saying that when used of a woman it denoted bad character; for it was merely with an ellipsis of of womankind. Peele says of Helen before her elopement,
"Here, gentle shepherd, here's for thee a piece,
The fairest face, the flower of gallant Greece."
Arraign. of Paris, ii. 2.