noun
- a large shield used by medieval crossbowmen and infantry for protection
Usage: historical; military
Examples
- The crossbowman crouched behind his pavise while reloading.
- Medieval armies used pavises to protect soldiers during sieges.
- The large wooden pavise was decorated with the lord’s coat of arms.
- Soldiers would plant pavises in the ground to form a protective barrier.
- The museum displayed a collection of medieval pavises and other armor.
- Archers positioned their pavises to shield themselves from enemy arrows.