sword
n
1 a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard
2 such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority
3 something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish
4 ♦
cross swords to argue or fight
a violence or power, esp. military power
b death; destruction to put to the sword (Old English sweord; related to Old Saxon swerd, Old Norse sverth, Old High German swert) ♦
swordless adj ♦
swordlike adj
sword bayonet
n a bayonet with a swordlike blade and hilt, capable of use as a sword
sword belt
n a belt with a sling or strap for a sword
sword cane
n another name for →
swordstick
sword dance
n a dance in which the performers dance nimbly over swords on the ground or brandish them in the air
♦
sword dancer n
♦
sword dancing n
sword fern
n any of numerous ferns having sword-shaped fronds
sword grass
n any of various grasses and other plants having sword-shaped sharp leaves
sword knot
n a loop on the hilt of a sword by which it was attached to the wrist, now purely decorative
sword lily
n another name for →
gladiolus →
1
(C18: so called because of its sword-shaped leaves)
Sword of Damocles
n a closely impending disaster
(see Damocles)
sword-swallower
n a performer who simulates the swallowing of swords
