pick·et
(pĭḱĭt)
[French piquet, from Old French, from piquer, to prick; see pique.]
noun
- A pointed stake often driven into the ground to support a fence, secure a tent, tether animals, mark points in surveying, or, when pointed at the top, serve as a defense.
- A detachment of one or more troops, ships, or aircraft held in readiness or advanced to warn of an enemy's approach: “The outlying sonar picket…. was to detect, localize, and engage any submarine trying to close the convoy” (Tom Clancy)
- A person or group of persons stationed outside a place of employment, usually during a strike, to express grievance or protest and discourage entry by nonstriking employees or customers.
- A person or group of persons present outside a building to protest.
verb: -et·ed, -et·ing, -ets.
transitive verb
- To enclose, secure, tether, mark out, or fortify with pickets.
- To post as a picket.
- To guard with a picket.
- To post a picket or pickets during a strike or demonstration.
intransitive verb
- To act or serve as a picket.
derivatives
- picḱet·er
- noun
