"Of base and earthly pieces, like thyself" (Albumazar, iv. 7),
to a man;
"You're both the loveliest pieces" (Fletch. Love's Pilg. i. 1),
to men.
Pin (L. L. L. iv. 1)—in archery, the black peg with which the clout or white was fastened in the middle of the butt.
Placket (L. L. L. iii. 1, W. T. iv. 3). "Torace, the breast or bulk of a man; also the middle space between the neck and the thighs; also a placket, a stomacher" (Florio). This puts the meaning of this word beyond dispute. In Winter's Tale it signifies the part covered by it.
Point-device (L. L. L. v. 1, As Y. L. iii. 2), precise, exact in dress and manners. It is said to be the French point dévisé; but there is no such phrase in French. It may be point de vice.
Pomander (W. T. iv. 3), probably, as Minshew says, from pomme ambre. It was a ball, etc., often of silver, perforated, and containing perfumes; so that it would seem to answer to the present smelling-bottle. Perhaps it was the same as the pouncet-box (1 H. IV. i. 3).
Poor-John (R. and J. i. 1), dried hake, a coarse kind of food.
Porpentine, a corruption of porcupine. Always the form used by Shakespeare; so Portingale for Portugal.