Picket fence

Picket Pick"et, n. [F. piquet, properly dim. of pique spear, pike. See {Pike}, and cf. {Piquet}.] 1. A stake sharpened or pointed, especially one used in fortification and encampments, to mark bounds and angles; or one used for tethering horses. [1913 Webster]

2. A pointed pale, used in marking fences. [1913 Webster]

3. [Probably so called from the picketing of the horses.] (Mil.) A detached body of troops serving to guard an army from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the enemy; -- called also {outlying picket}. [1913 Webster]

4. By extension, men appointed by a trades union, or other labor organization, to intercept outsiders, and prevent them from working for employers with whom the organization is at variance. [Cant] [1913 Webster]

5. A military punishment, formerly resorted to, in which the offender was forced to stand with one foot on a pointed stake. [1913 Webster]

6. A game at cards. See {Piquet}. [1913 Webster]

{Inlying picket} (Mil.), a detachment of troops held in camp or quarters, detailed to march if called upon.

{Picket fence}, a fence made of pickets. See def. 2, above.

{Picket guard} (Mil.), a guard of horse and foot, always in readiness in case of alarm.

{Picket line}. (Mil.) (a) A position held and guarded by small bodies of men placed at intervals. (b) A rope to which horses are secured when groomed.

{Picketpin}, an iron pin for picketing horses. [1913 Webster]