sword

/sɔərd/

/sɔd/

Other forms: swords

A sword is a weapon with a long, sharp, metal blade. If you want to dress up as a knight for Halloween, you'll definitely need a sword — and maybe a suit of armor.

Swords evolved from daggers, which, like knives, have two sharp edges instead of just one. Some time during the Bronze Age, daggers became longer and longer, eventually being classified as swords. These long, sharp weapons were used by soldiers on battlefields, and for self-defense and dueling. Sword can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to cut or pierce."

Definitions of sword

1. noun

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

   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