Standard Lemma guide

pavis

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈpɑv.ɪs/
  • US: /ˈpævɪs/
  • rhymes with -ɑvɪs

1

noun

Meaning 1

Most usually, a very large shield fitted with a stand, like a small moveable wall, carried in front to protect all or most of the bearer's body that could be positioned independently of the user, such as a crossbowman, often with a projecting ridge running vertically down the center. However, smaller, more standard shield types were also termed as such, with the central verticle ridge as a defining feature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, history, human-sciences, military, politics, sciences, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

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

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pavise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shield, buckler

History

Etymology

From Middle English pavis(e) (paveis, pavas), from Anglo-Norman pavis (compare French pavois), from Latin pavensis, probably from Pavia in Italy. Compare Italian pavese.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: pavès — large shield
  • Czech: pavéza — large shield
  • Finnish: paviisi — large shield
  • French: pavois — large shield
  • Galician: pavés — large shield
  • German: Langschild — large shield
  • Italian: pavese — large shield
  • Polish: pawęż — large shield
  • Portuguese: pavês — large shield
  • Spanish: pavés — large shield