What does targe mean?
A targe is chiefly a traditional Scottish shield, particularly the relatively compact shield carried by Highland warriors. Such shields were made from wood and commonly covered with leather, with metal fittings protecting vulnerable areas. The word also has an archaic sense meaning a target or mark aimed at. As a verb, targe means to challenge or provoke someone, especially to challenge them to combat, but this use is now obsolete. In modern English, the noun is mainly historical, literary, or cultural, appearing in discussions of Highland arms, clan traditions, museums, and martial heritage. Its survival as a recognizable word reflects the continued importance of Scottish material culture and the distinctive vocabulary preserved in Scots. Although English has many more general terms for a protective shield, targe is particularly useful when referring to the Scottish form rather than a generic shield. The word also provides a striking example of how a specialized historical object can remain part of standard English long after its everyday use declines.
A shield, especially a compact shield traditionally carried by Scottish Highlanders; archaically, also a target or mark aimed at.
"A decorated targe hangs beside a replica Highland sword in the exhibition."
The shield sense remains familiar chiefly in Scottish, historical, and cultural contexts; the target sense is archaic.
To challenge or provoke someone, especially to challenge someone to combat.
"The rival nobles targed each other over the disputed lands."
This verb is obsolete and is chiefly encountered in historical or archaic writing.
The standard plural of the noun is targes.
"The collection includes targes made in several Highland styles."
A targe was the Highland warrior’s compact shield—and its name survives in modern English mainly through Scotland’s martial heritage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does targe come from?
Targe entered Middle English through Anglo-French targue, ultimately derived from Medieval Latin targa, a word of uncertain ultimate origin. The English noun became especially associated with Scotland, where it referred to the shield used by Highland warriors, while an obsolete sense meaning a target or mark also developed. The related English word target comes through Old French targue by the same medieval route; French targue, Italian targa, and Spanish tarja also reflect the shared Latin tradition.
Related word forms
How targe is actually used
Today the noun is chiefly encountered in historical, literary, and cultural discussions of Highland warfare. The verb is obsolete and belongs to historical or archaic registers.
Easily confused with targe
A targe is a shield, or archaically a target or mark, whereas a target is an object or goal aimed at; as verbs, to targe means to challenge or provoke, while to target means to aim at or single out.