1. a large shield, typically rectangular or kite-shaped, used in medieval warfare to protect the body and legs of a soldier or archer.
Usage: archaic; historical; also spelled 'pavise' or 'pavis'

Examples

• The medieval soldier carried a pavisse into battle to shield himself from arrows.
• Archers often stood behind a pavisse for protection while firing their bows.
• The pavisse was large enough to cover a man from chest to knee.
• Knights equipped their troops with pavisse shields for the siege.