blade

/bleɪd/

/bleɪd/

Other forms: blades

A blade is a very sharp metal edge of a tool. A good cooking knife should have its blade sharpened regularly.

Knives, swords, and razors have blades, metal edges so fine and thin that they can cut and slice. The shoulder bone is sometimes called a "shoulder blade," and a piece of grass is also a blade. In fact, the original meaning of the Old English blæd was "leaf," and then "something resembling a leaf." In the 14th century, the word was applied to swords, based on their shape — similar to a leaf or blade of grass.

Definitions of blade

1. noun

   the flat part of a tool or weapon that (usually) has a cutting edge
   types:

   knife blade

   the blade of a knife

   razorblade

   a blade that has very sharp edge

   type of:

   cutting implement

   a tool used for cutting or slicing
2. noun

   flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water
   synonyms: vane

   types:

   fan blade

   blade of a rotating fan

   impeller

   the blade of a rotor (as in the compressor of a jet engine)

   paddle

   a blade of a paddle wheel or water wheel

   rudder blade

   the vertical blade on a rudder

   type of:

   rotating mechanism

   a mechanism that rotates
3. noun

   the part of the skate that slides on the ice
   type of:

   runner

   device consisting of the parts on which something can slide along
4. noun

   a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
   synonyms: brand, steel, sword

   examples:

   Excalibur

   the legendary sword of King Arthur

   types:

   backsword

   a sword with only one cutting edge

   broadsword

   a sword with a broad blade and (usually) two cutting edges; used to cut rather than stab

   cavalry sword, saber, sabre

   a stout sword with a curved blade and thick back

   cutlas, cutlass

   a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors

   falchion

   a short broad slightly convex medieval sword with a sharp point

   fencing sword

   a sword used in the sport of fencing

   rapier, tuck

   a straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges

   claymore

   a large double-edged broadsword; formerly used by Scottish Highlanders

   epee

   a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade

   foil

   a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button

   saber, sabre

   a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle

   scimitar

   a curved saber used in Eastern countries; the edge is on the convex side of the blade

   type of:

   arm, weapon, weapon system

   any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
5. noun

   especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
   synonyms: leaf blade

   type of:

   foliage, leaf, leafage

   the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
6. noun

   something long and thin resembling a blade of grass
   “a blade of lint on his suit”

   type of:

   ribbon, thread

   any long object resembling a thin line
7. noun

   a broad flat body part (as of the shoulder or tongue)
   types:

   vane, web

   the flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft

   type of:

   anatomical structure, bodily structure, body structure, complex body part, structure

   a particular complex anatomical part of a living thing
8. noun

   a cut of beef from the shoulder blade
   type of:

   cut of beef

   cut of meat from beef cattle
9. noun

   a dashing young man
   type of:

   spring chicken, young person, younker, youth

   a young person (especially a young man or boy)