PENTAEDROUS, having five sides.
PENTAGON, in fortification, a figure bounded by five sides, or polygons, which form so many angles, capable of being fortified with an equal number of bastions. It also denotes a fort with five bastions.
PENTAGRAPH, (Pentagraphe, Fr.), An instrument whereby designs, &c. may be copied in any proportion, without the person, who uses it, being skilled in drawing.
PENTANGLE, A figure having five angles.
PENTANGULAR. See [Pentagon].
PENTAPOLIS, in geography, a country consisting of five cities. This name was given, particularly, to the valley wherein stood the five infamous cities destroyed by fire and brimstone in Abraham’s time. The most celebrated Pentapolis was the Pentapolis Cyrenica in Egypt, whose cities were Berenice, Arsinoe, Ptolemais, Cyrene, and Apollonia
PENTASPAST, (Pentapaste, Fr.) An engine that has five pullies.
PENTATHLON. The five exercises performed in the Grecian games, viz. leaping, running, quoiting, darting, and wrestling.
PENTHOUSE, a shed hanging forward in a sloping direction from the main wall of a place.
PEONS, Ind. municipal foot soldiers. These men are chiefly employed to assist in collecting the revenues, and carry a pike or staff. Most persons in India keep servants, who wear a belt with the master’s name. These are likewise called Peadahs.