Picket

pik′et, n. a pointed stake used in fortification: a small outpost or guard stationed in front of an army: a number of men sent out by a trades-union to prevent others from working against the wishes or decisions of the union: a game at cards: a punishment inflicted by making a person stand on one foot on a pointed stake.— v.i. to fasten to a stake, as a horse: to post a vanguard: to place a picket at or near.— ns. Pick′et-fence , a fence of pickets or pales; Pick′et-guard , a guard kept in readine in case of alarm. [Fr. piquet , dim. of pic , a pickaxe.]