n. [ OE. gavelkynde, gavelkende. See Gavel tribute, and Kind, n. ] (O. Eng. Law) A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying without issue, descended equally to his brothers. It still prevails in the county of Kent. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. javeline; akin to Sp. jabalina, It. giavelina, and F. javelot, OF. gavlot. Cf. Gavelock. ]
Flies the javelin swifter to its mark,
Launched by the vigor of a Roman arm? Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To pierce with a javelin. [ R. ] Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A soldier armed with a javelin. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]