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sword

[sawrd, sohrd]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.
this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc..
The pen is mightier than the sword.
a cause of death or destruction.
war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression.
to perish by the sword.
Military.��Sword. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.

sword

/ ��ɔː�� /

noun

a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard
such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority
something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish
to argue or fight
1. violence or power, esp military power
2. death; destruction
  to put to the sword

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Other Word Forms

swordless adjective
swordlike adjective
ˈ��ɴǰ��ˌ�� adjective
ˈ��ɴǰ�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sweord; cognate with Dutch zwaard, German Schwert, Old Norse sverth

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sword¹

Old English sweord; related to Old Saxon swerd, Old Norse sverth, Old High German swert

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

at swords' points, mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed.
Father and son are constantly at swords' point.
put to the sword, to slay; execute.
The entire population of the town was put to the sword.
cross swords,
1. to engage in combat; fight.
2. to disagree violently; argue.
  The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.

In addition to the idiom beginning with sword, also see at sword's point; cross swords.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The honour of knighthood comes from the days of medieval chivalry, as does the method used to confer the knighthood - the accolade, or the touch of a sword, by the sovereign.

From

A police officer has told jurors how the defendant in the Daniel Anjorin murder trial slashed at him with a "large sword".

From

She said she looked out of the window and the suspect was "holding a very large sword, a machete-type weapon".

From

Mr Monzo is then seen exiting the vehicle and walking after him while brandishing a sword.

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Only Matthews has put England's bowlers to the sword, but even on those occasions it never felt like they were in danger of losing.

From

Related Words

blade��
dagger��
weapon��

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

swop sword bayonet

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