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† ˈcurtal-ax, -axe Obs. exc. Hist. (or arch.).
Forms: 6–7 curtleax(e, 6 curtilax, 6–7 courtelax(e, curtelax(e, 7 curt-, courtlax, curtelaxe, courtle-axe, cortelax, 6–9 curtle-ax(e, curtle axe, 8– curtal-axe.
[A much perverted form of the word cutlass n. (in 16th c. coutelas, coutelase, cuttleass, etc.), through the intermediate perversions cut(t)le-ax, and curtelas, courtelace, curtelace, the peculiarities of which it combines. The form curtal-ax, with its variants, was so distinct from cutlass, that it acquired a kind of permanent standing, the identification of the final part with axe, axe, being favoured by the use of the weapon in delivering slashing blows.]
A short broad cutting sword, a cutlass n.; any heavy slashing sword. (Apparently sometimes taken by persons unfamiliar with the weapon for some kind of battle-axe. Cf. Spenser's curtaxe.)
1579–80North Plutarch (1676) 798 His Father..drew out his Curtleax and wounded him. 1590Lodge Euphues Gold. Leg. Pref., Hewn down by a soldier with his curtle axe. 1600Shakes. A.Y.L. i. iii. 119 A gallant curtelax vpon my thigh. 1610J. Guillim Heraldry iii. xxi. (1660) 229 A Fawcheon or Court-lax to slash and wound his Enemy. 1665G. Havers P. della Valle's Trav. E. India 109 A short and very broad Sword like a Cortelax. 1813Scott Trierm. iii. xiii, A weighty curtal-axe he bare. 1874Motley Barneveld I. viii. 334 Swinging the sharpest curtal-axes. |