PIES, Fr. Knights that were created by Pope Pius IV. in 1560, with the titles of counts Palatines. They took precedence, at Rome, of the knights of the Teutonic order, and of those of Malta.
PIETINER, Fr. to move the feet with great quickness. It likewise signifies to mark time, but not technically so.
PIETON, Fr. a foot soldier.
PIEU, Fr. a large beam, or stake.
PIEUX, Fr. This word is sometimes used in the plural number to signify palisades.
PIGNON, Fr. the gable end of a building.
PIKE, in war, an offensive weapon, consisting of a wooden shaft, from 6 to 20 feet long, with a flat steel head, pointed, called the spear. This instrument was long in use among the infantry; but now the bayonet, which is fixed on the muzzle of the firelock, is substituted in its stead. The Macedonian phalanx was a battalion of pikemen.
PIKEMEN, soldiers armed with pikes.
The utility of the Pike was pointed out by marshal Saxe, but until the French being destitute of firearms for their national guards, were forced to resort to it, the great value of the weapon was not well understood; although the bayonet, which is only a pike on the end of a firelock, was in general use. On an emergency, where arms are scarce, the pike may always be relied on against infantry or cavalry. See Am. Mil. Lib.
PIKESTAFF, the wooden pole or handle of a pike.