has·ti·lude \ˈhastəˌlüd\noun (pluralhastiludes \-dz\ ; orhastilu·dia \ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈlüdēə\) Etymology: Medieval Latin hastiludium, from Late Latin hasti- (from Latin hasta spear) + -ludium (from Latin ludus play, sport) — more at yard, ludicrous : a medieval joust : spear play < one sport called hastiludes was no less dangerous than war itself — W.H.Dixon >