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 pale
2 a : a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise b : a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty c : sentry
3 : 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