javelin-man
[f. javelin n. + man.]
1. One of a body of men in the retinue of a sheriff who carried spears or pikes (javelin n. 2), and escorted the judges at the assizes.
| 1705 Lond. Gaz. No. 4154/1 The High Sheriff of Hampshire, with about 90 Javelin Men,..received Her Majesty. 1832 Boston Herald 7 Feb. 3/3 The javlin-men and special constables ranged themselves in front of the Court-house. 1871 Besant & Rice Ready Money Mortiboy xiii, The twelve javelin men, walking in martial array by the side of the carriage. 1890 Daily News 16 July 2/8 An amendment, practically abolishing javelin men and substituting police was inserted on the motion of Lord Belper. |
2. A soldier armed with a javelin; = javelineer 1.
| 1846 H. Torrens On Milit. Lit. & Hist. I. 76 Clouds of skirmishers, javelin-men, bowyers, and slingers. 1850 Merivale Rom. Emp. vi. (1865) I. 276 Caesar brought into the field javelinmen from Numidia. |