n. [ F. quintaine, LL. quintana; cf. W. chwintan a kind of hymeneal game. ] An object to be tilted at; -- called also quintel. [ Written also quintin. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while riding under, and get away without being hit by the sand bag. “But a quintain, a mere lifeless block.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. Sp. quintal, fr. Ar. qintar a weight of 100 lbs., prob. fr. L. centenarius consisting of a hundred, fr. centeni a hundred each, fr. centum a hundred. See Hundred, and cf. Kentle. ] 1. A hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds, according to the scale used. Cf. Cental. [ Sometimes written and pronounced kentle. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A metric measure of weight, being 100, 000 grams, or 100 kilograms, equal to 220.46 pounds avoirdupois. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. quintanus, fr. quintus fifth, quinque five. See Five. ] Occurring as the fifth, after four others also, occurring every fifth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quintan fever. -- n. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fifth day, reckoning inclusively, or in which the intermission lasts three days. [ 1913 Webster ]