rare. [a. F. cinquain collection of five, stanza of five lines, f. cinq five. Cf. QUATRAIN.] A collection or company of five.

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  a.  Mil. (See quot.) Obs.

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1711.  Military & Sea Dict., Cinquain, an ancient Order of Battle, to draw up 5 Battalions, so that they may make three Lines, a Van, Main Body, and Body of Reserve.

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  b.  A stanza of five lines.

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1882.  J. Payne, 1001 Nts., II. 205. One of Sher Kan’s boon-companions … reciting the following cinquains.

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