pavis

• pavise, pavais
• (less common) pabys, pavese, pavesse

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.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɑv.ɪs/

pavis (plural pavises or pavisses)

1. (military, history) 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.
   • c. 1521, John Skelton, Speke Parott:

     For in this proceſſe, Parrot nothĩg hath ſurmyſed
     No matter pretendyd, nor nothyng enterpryſed
     But that metaphora, alegoria with all
     Shall be his protectyon, his pauys and his wall

• Spiva, višap

pāvīs

1. dative/ablative plural of pāva