Main Entry:

¹pick·et

Pronunciation:

\ˈpi-kət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French piquet, from Middle French, from piquer to prick — more at pike

Date:

circa 1702

1: a pointed or sharpened stake, post, or pale2 a: a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise b: a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty c: sentry3: a person posted by a labor organization at a place of work affected by a strike ; also : a person posted for a demonstration or protest