QUINTAIN

quintain|quintin. Quintain, or Quintin, n. a post with a turning top

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Quin″tain (?), n. [[F. quintaine, LL. quintana; cf. W. chwintan a kind of hymeneal game.]] An object to be tilted at; — called also quintel. [Written also quintin.] ☞ A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while riding under, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. “But a quintain, a mere lifeless block.” Shak.