picket

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 ]