noun / verb
joust
JOWST/dʒaʊst/
A mounted contest in which opponents confront each other with lances.
Two armored riders charge toward each other in a joust.
Etymology
Latin iuxta supplies the image of being next to someone. Through the sense of approaching or coming together, this developed into engaging an opponent in single combat, specifically with lances on horseback.
In context
Geoffroi de Charny used for instance the word joust to refer to a combat where one individual fights another with spears or lances on horseback
More examples
- The knights joust with long wooden lances.
- She watched three jousts at the medieval festival.
- He jousted against an experienced rider and lost his lance.
Forms
joust · jousts · jousted · jousting
jouster noun — A rider who competes with a lance.
Similar words
- tournament
- Usually includes several contests or competitors, not just two riders.
- duel
- Involves two opponents but need not involve horses or lances.