PICKET

[pick.et] n [F piquet, fr. MF, fr. piquer to prick--more at pike] (ca. 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

[2]picket vt (1745) 1: to enclose, fence, or fortify with pickets

2. a: to guard with a picket b: to post as a picket

3: tether

4. a: to post pickets at b: to walk or stand in front of as a picket ~ vi: to serve as a picket -- pick.et.er n