— picketer , n.
/pik"it/ , n.
1. a post, stake, pale, or peg that is used in a fence or barrier, to fasten down a tent, etc.
2. a person stationed by a union or the like outside a factory, store, mine, etc., in order to dissuade or prevent workers or customers from entering it during a strike.
3. a person engaged in any similar demonstration, as against a government's policies or actions, before an embassy, office building, construction project, etc.
4. Mil. a soldier or detachment of soldiers placed on a line forward of a position to warn against an enemy advance.
5. Navy , Air Force. an aircraft or ship performing similar sentinel duty.
v.t.
6. to enclose within a picket fence or stockade, as for protection, imprisonment, etc.: to picket a lawn; to picket captives.
7. to fasten or tether to a picket.
8. to place pickets in front of or around (a factory, store, mine, embassy, etc.), as during a strike or demonstration.
9. Mil.
a. to guard, as with pickets.
b. to post as a picket.
v.i.
10. to stand or march as a picket.
[ 1680-90; piquet. See PIKE 2 , -ET ]