pavise Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Middle Ages) a large heavy oblong shield protecting the whole body; originally carried but sometimes set up in permanent position
    pavis.

WordNet

Pa*vise noun
Etymology
OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf. It. pavese, LL. pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.
Definitions
  1. (Mil. Antiq.) A large shield covering the whole body, carried by a pavisor, who sometimes screened also an archer with it. Written also pavais, pavese, and pavesse. Fairholt.

Webster 1913