Part 361

PHATUK, Ind. a gaol or prison. It likewise means a gate.

PHAUGUN, Ind. a month, which in some degree agrees with February and March.

PHILEBEG, or Kilt, from the Gaelic, Filleadh beg, which signifies a little plaid. This part of the Highland dress corresponds with the lower part of a belted plaid, and is frequently worn as an undress by Highland officers and soldiers. The philebeg or kilt may be considered as a very good substitute for the belted plaid, as it is not, at present, thought necessary for the Highlander to carry his clothing for the night, as well as by day, about his person. This was the case in ancient times, when the breachcan answered both purposes. The philebeg is a modern invention, and is the garment which some, who have endeavored to establish the antiquity of Truis, confound with the breachcan filleadh.

PHIRMAUND, Ind. This word is sometimes written Firmaun, and signifies a royal commission, mandate, charter, proclamation, or decree.

PHOUSDAR, Ind. The same as Fousdar, the superintendant of a large district. It more immediately signifies the officer in charge of the revenue.

PHOUS-DAN, Ind. The commander of a large body of forces.

PIAN, Fr. a term used in the West Indies, to signify a venereal taint.

PIANISTE, Fr. a person infected with the venereal disorder.

A PIC, Fr. perpendicularly.

PICE, Ind. a copper coin, used in most parts of India, the value of which four pices make an anna, sixteen anna, a rupee; and a rupee is half of our dollar; so that there are 64 pices to a rupee or half a dollar.

PICAROON, a pillager, one who plunders; a smuggler, one who violates the laws.

PICKETS, in fortification, stakes sharp at one end, and sometimes shod with iron, used in laying out the ground, of about three feet long; but, when used for pinning the fascines of a battery, they are from 3 to 5 feet long.

PICKETS, in artillery, are about 5 or 6 feet long, shod with iron, to pin the park lines, and to lay out the boundaries of the park.

PICKETS, in the camp, are also stakes of about 6 or 8 inches long, to fasten the tent cords, in pitching the tents; also, of about 4 or 5 feet long, driven into the ground near the tents of the horsemen, to tie their horses to.

PICKET, an out-guard posted before an army, to give notice of an enemy approaching. See GUARD.

PICKET, a barbarian kind of punishment so called, where a soldier stood with one foot upon a sharp pointed stake: the time of his standing was limited according to the offence.

PICK, PICK-AXE, PICKER, A sharp pointed iron tool, used in trenching, &c. to loosen the ground.

PICKER likewise means a small pointed piece of brass or iron wire, which every soldier carries to clear the touch-hole of his musquet. The brass pickers are the best, because they are not liable to snap or break off.

PICOREE, Fr. an obsolete French term, signifying a party of soldiers who go out in search of plunder.

PICORER, Fr. to go out in search of plunder. Obsolete.

PICOREUR, Fr. a marauder.

PICQUEERING, PICKERING, PICKEROONING, a little flying skirmish, which maurauders make, when detached for pillage, or before a main battle begins.

PICS-Hoyaux, Fr. Different sorts of pick-axes used by the pioneers.

PIECE, (Piéce, Fr.) This word is variously used, in a military sense, by the French and English, viz.

Un homme armé de toutes PIECES, Fr. a man armed at all points, or cap-a-pied.

PIECES d’honneur, Fr. the insignia or marks of honor. These consist of the crown, sceptre, and sword.

PIECES of Ordnance are all sorts of great guns and mortars.

Battering PIECES are the large guns which serve at sieges to make breaches, such as the 24-pounder, and the culverin, which carries 18lb. ball.