Gionules (Fr.). Turkish volunteer cavalry, renowned for their bravery.
Girandole (Fr.). Any firework turning upon a wheel; a wheel whose circumference is studded with rockets.
Girandole (Fr.). In fortification, several chambers in mines connected for the defense of the place of arms of the covered way.
Girondists. An important party during the French revolution, principally composed of deputies from the Gironde. At first they were ardent republicans, but after the cruelties of August and September, 1792, they labored to restrain the cruelties of the Mountain party, to which they succumbed. Their leaders, Brissot, Vergniaud, and many others were guillotined October 31, 1793, at the instigation of Robespierre.
Gironné, or Gyronné. A term used in heraldry to indicate that the field is divided into six, eight, or more triangular portions of different trenches, the points of the triangles all meeting in the centre of the shield.
Gisarm. A scythe-shaped weapon, with a pike projecting from one side, formerly borne by foot-soldiers on the end of a long staff. It was used as late as the battle of Flodden. See [Guisarme].
Gisors. A town of France, in the department of the Eure, 23 miles from Rouen. Here a battle took place October 10, 1198, between the French and English, in which the former were completely defeated. Richard I., who commanded the English, gave as the “parole,” or watch-word of the day, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and ever since the expression has been the motto to the royal arms of England.
Gistes. Pieces of wood which are made use of in the construction of platforms to batteries, and upon which the madriers or broad planks are placed.
Gitschin. A walled town of Bohemia, about 50 miles northeast of Prague. It was captured by the Prussians after a severe conflict with the Austrians, June 29, 1866. Near Gitschin, the same evening, the crown-prince of Prussia was victor in another engagement.
Giurgevo. A town and river-port of Wallachia, opposite Rustchuk, and about 40 miles southwest from Bucharest, of which it is the port. In 1773 the Turks were defeated here by the Russians, who took it in 1811, and again in 1829, when its defenses were leveled with the ground. In 1854 the Russians were defeated in its neighborhood by the Turks.