Targe

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /tɑːdÍ¡Ê’/
• US IPA: /tɑɹdÍ¡Ê’/

Origin

From Middle English targe, from Old English targa (masculine) and targe (feminine), both from Old Norse targa ("round shield") from Proto-Germanic *targÇ­ ("edge"), from Proto-Indo-European *dArg'h- ("fenced lot"). Akin to Old High German zarga ("side wall, rim") (German Zarge ("border, frame")). Reinforced in Middle English by Old French targe (French targe), from the same Germanic source.

Full definition of targe

Noun

1. (archaic) A small shield.
• 1819, The Jester wore his usual fantastic habit, but late accidents had led him to adopt a good cutting falchion, instead of his wooden sword, with a targe to match it — Walter Scott, Ivanhoe

Derived terms

• target

Anagrams

• grate, great, Greta