Pickets, in the camp, are also stakes of about 6 or 8 inches long, to fasten the tent cords, in pitching the tents; also, of about 4 or 5 feet long, driven into the ground near the tents of the horsemen, to tie their horses to.
Picket, an out-guard posted before an army, to give notice of an enemy approaching. See [Guard].
Picket, a barbarian kind of punishment so called, where a soldier stood with one foot upon a sharp pointed stake: the time of his standing was limited according to the offence.
| PICK, | - | |
| PICK-AXE, | ||
| PICKER, |
A sharp pointed iron tool, used in trenching,
&c. to loosen the ground.
Picker likewise means a small pointed piece of brass or iron wire, which every soldier carries to clear the touch-hole of his musquet. The brass pickers are the best, because they are not liable to snap or break off.
PICOREE, Fr. an obsolete French term, signifying a party of soldiers who go out in search of plunder.
PICORER, Fr. to go out in search of plunder. Obsolete.
PICOREUR, Fr. a marauder.
PICQUEERING, PICKERING, PICKEROONING, a little flying skirmish, which maurauders make, when detached for pillage, or before a main battle begins.