picquet

picquet

A soldier stands guard as part of the picquet.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A military outpost or guard: "picquet" refers to a small group of soldiers posted in advance of a main force to watch for the enemy and give an alarm; also the post itself.
    • A card game: "picquet" is a card game for two players, played with a 32-card pack, popular in the 17th–19th centuries.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (military sense):

    • The commander ordered a picquet to be stationed on the hill. (A small guard unit was placed there to observe enemy movements.)
    • The soldiers stood watch at the picquet throughout the night. (They remained at their assigned guard post.)

  • Noun (card game sense):

    • They spent the evening playing picquet by the fire. (They engaged in the two-player card game.)
    • Picquet requires strategic thinking and memory. (The game involves careful planning.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to stand picquet": to serve as a sentinel or guard.

    • The young lieutenant was assigned to stand picquet at dawn. (He had to perform guard duty at that time.)

  • "picquet line": a line of soldiers placed to warn of an approaching enemy.

    • The picquet line extended along the ridge. (The guard formation covered that area.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Picket (n): a variant spelling of "picquet," more common in modern English, meaning a sentry or a protest line.

    • The workers formed a picket line outside the factory. (They protested by standing in a line.)

  • Picquet duty (n phrase): the task of serving as a guard or sentry.

    • He was exhausted after a night of picquet duty. (He had served as a guard throughout the night.)
Synonyms
  • Sentinel: a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
  • Outpost: a small military camp or position at some distance from the main force.
  • Watch: the act of keeping guard or observing.
Related Idioms

  • "to be on picquet": to be on guard duty.

    • The troops were on picquet all night, ready to sound the alarm. (They were acting as sentinels.)

  • "picquet and patrol": a phrase used to describe routine guard and reconnaissance duties.

    • His daily routine involved picquet and patrol around the camp. (He performed sentry duty and scouting.)