swordn.
/sɔːd/, U.S. /sɔrd/ 1.
a. A weapon adapted for cutting and thrusting, consisting of a handle or hilt with a cross-guard, and a straight or curved blade with either one or two sharp edges and a sharp point (or sometimes with blunt edges, and used only for thrusting).Swords are of various shapes and sizes, some with distinctive names, as broadsword n., claymore n., rapier v., sabre n., scimitar n., etc.; but, without qualification, the word is commonly understood to mean a large weapon such as those used in warfare.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun]
sword971
brandOE
edgeOE
ironOE
brandelletc1325
garec1330
toolc1386
brank1480
tranchefera1533
flatchet1577
Morglay1582
smiter1591
brandiron1596
Toledo1601
machaira1614
spit-frog1615
toasting-irona1616
spit1642
bilbo1676
porker1688
tilter1688
degen1699
spurtlec1700
toaster1751
toasting-fork1807
slasher1815
cheese-cutter1824
khanda1825
cheese-toaster1858
windlestraw1895
971 Blickl. Hom. 11 Anra gehwylc hæfde sweord ofer his hype.
OE Beowulf 2638 Helmas ond heard sweord.
a1000 Fight at Finnsburg (Gr.) 17 Sigeferð and Eaha hyra sword getugon.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxvi. 47 Mid swurdum & sahlum.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4443 Þi mon he sæl bi-cumen..& þat ich þe wullen swerien uppen mine sweorden [c1300 Otho sweorde].
c1275 Passion of Our Lord 200 in Old Eng. Misc. 43 Þo iseyh ihesu crist þat peter so dude, Put in, he seyde, þi sweord.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 386 Corineus suerd sone brac, so strong he smote & vaste.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1307 Ysaac..bar ðe wude..And abraham ðe fier and ðe swerd bar.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) Mid oȝene zuorde man may himzelue sle.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15721 Sper and suerd [Gött. surd] and mace þai bring.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 21710 Mocht na kingis suorde [Fairf. squorde] do mare.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 112 And by his syde a swerd and a Bokeler.
1451 Lincoln Diocese Documents 50 A hole harmor of plate & my Swirde.
1534 in W. Kelly Notices Illustr. Drama (1865) 191 I borrowyd a shorde and a bokelar, wch showrde and bokelar he allmust bothe loste.
1539 Bible (Great) Matt. xxvi. 52 One of them which were wyth Iesus, stretched out his hande, and drue his swearde... Then sayd Iesus vnto hym: put vp thy swearde into hys sheath.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5741 Mony Troiens..Thurgh swap of his sword swaltyn belyue!
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vii. sig. Iiiv The prouerbe saieth, he that striketh with the sworde, Shalbe striken with the scaberde.
1600 N. Breton Pasquils Fooles-cap (rev. ed.) sig. C2 Hee that..by his side can finely weare his swearde.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 186 You drew your sword vpon me without cause. View more context for this quotation
1782 W. Cowper Loss Royal George 21 His sword was in the sheath.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess v. 120 A moment hand to hand, And sword to sword, and horse to horse we hung.
1851 D. Wilson Archæol. & Prehistoric Ann. Scotl. iv. ix. 685 This fine example of a Scottish two-handed sword.
b. As used on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of honour or authority ( sword of honour, sword of state, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > symbol of office or authority > [noun] > specific
keyOE
sword?c1475
the seals?a1500
pillara1529
post1598
umbrella1653
akakia1731
?c1475 ( in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1861) II. 146 The toon was a swerde of mercy, the oothir of astate.
1483 Coron. Rich. III in L. G. W. Legg Eng. Coron. Rec. (1901) 195 Therle of Northumberland..with the Pointless Sword naked in his hand, which signifyed Mercie... Therle of Kent bare ye second sword..with a Point which signifyed Justice to the Temporallitee, The Lord Lovell bare ye third Sword..with a Point which signifyed Justice to the Cleargie... Therle of Surrey bare ye fourth Sword..with a rich scabbard, being called the Sword of Estate.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 81 And he delyveryd hare the swerde, and she toke it to the erle of Arnedelle, and he bare it before hare.
c1600 D. Moysie Mem. Affairs Scotl. (1830) 11 The erles of Angus quho buir the croune, the erle of Lennox the septer, and the erle of Mar the suord of honour.
1831 C. C. F. Greville Mem. (1874) II. 137 The tall, grim figure of Lord Grey close beside him with the sword of state in his hand.
1891 A. H. Craufurd Gen. Craufurd & Light Div. 271 To subscribe in order to present this General with a sword of honour.
c. phr. (a) Fencing (see quot. 1699). (b) sword-in-hand, armed with a sword; figurative militant.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adjective] > with sword
sword-bearingOE
swordedc1000
sword-and-buckler1598
sword-and-dagger1821
sword-in-hand1838
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [adjective] > disposed to hostile action
aggressive1773
fire-eating1811
pistolling1877
muscle flexing1905
sword-in-hand1906
storm-trooping1933
butt-kicking1973
slash-and-burn1978
ill1979
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Within the Sword, from the Sword to the Right Hand. Without the Sword, all the Man's Body above the Sword.
1838 J. Mitchell Thoughts on Tactics 37 The Russians never ventured, unless when covered by chevaux-de-frise, to await the sword-in-hand onsets of the Turks.
1906 Daily Chron. 23 Aug. 4/6 A typical South American sword-in-hand politician.
d. A wooden imitation of a sword, used in fencing exercise, etc.; also, the blade of a foil.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > foil > part of
button1598
prime1639
feeble1645
foiblea1648
fortea1648
stronga1648
sworda1648
weak1683
seconde1688
strength1702
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fencing or exercise with sticks or cudgels > [noun] > stick
waster1455
hilt1609
sworda1648
lath sword1697
tickler1765
sword of lath1819
basket-stick1833
single-stick1837
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 32 The Fort or strong [of a foil] which extendes from the part of the hillt next the Sword about a third part of the wholle leangth thereof.
?1697 J. Lewis Mem. Duke of Glocester (1789) 9 Accoutred with paper caps, and wooden swords.
1746 P. Francis in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles 2 (note) The Gladiators, in learning their Exercises, played with wooden Swords, called rudes.
e. plural. One of the four suits in packs of playing-cards used in Italy and in Spanish-speaking countries, and in tarot packs. Cf. spade n.2
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > suit > specific suit or card of
clubs1563
hearts1583
money1593
diamond1594
spade1598
spade1745
swords1816
coins1844
batons1848
puppyfoot1907
1816 S. W. Singer Researches Hist. Playing Cards i. 17 The four suits, Spade, (swords,) Coppe, (cups,) Denari, (money,) and Bastone, (clubs,) adopted both by the Italians and Spaniards, were probably the suits of the Eastern game.
1848 W. A. Chatto Facts Hist. Playing Cards iv. 191 The earliest writers who mention Tarocchi as a kind of cards, always speak of them as consisting of four suits,—Swords, Cups, Batons, and Money.
1848 W. A. Chatto Facts Hist. Playing Cards iv. 227 The cards most commonly used in Italy in the latter part of the fifteenth century, were those which had..Swords, Cups, Batons, and Money,—as the marks of the suits.
1892 ‘Papus’ Tarot of Bohemians v. 44 When we consider the four colours of the Tarot, new deductions will be called forth... The Sword represents the union of the two by its crucial form.
1911 A. E. Waite Pictorial Key to Tarot i. iv. 36 We must forbear from saying, for example, that the Conditions of Life correspond to the Trumps Major..and the conditions of life to Swords.
1934 J. D. Carr (title) The eight of swords.
1952 V. Wilkins King Reluctant iii. iii. 230 He..produced two [tarot] cards... ‘The King of Swords and the King of Cups!’ he said.
1978 Jrnl. Playing-Card Soc. Feb. 90 It comprises 52 cards, with suits of Swords, Batons, Cups and Pomegranates.
2. figurative.
a. Something that wounds or kills, a cause of death or destruction, a destroying agency; also, something figured as a weapon of attack in spiritual warfare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > slaughter > [noun] > means of
swordc1000
c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 218 [Eph. vi. 17] Nymað þæs geleafan scyld, and ðæs hihtes helm, and þæs Halgan Gastes swurd, þæt is, Godes word.
c1200 Vices & Virtues 91 Nim ðin sweord, ðat is, godes word.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 61 Bute we turnen to gode anradliche, he wile his swerd draȝen, þat is his wrake.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 127 Wyntyr that..with his swerd of cold so sore hadde greuyd.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 11371 Þe suord of soru thoru hir hert stod.
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 7983 The Swerd, I mene, of Ryghtwysnesse.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xxxii. sig. l.vi The sharpe swerde of deth..Spared no creature.
1514 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 90 This violent and contageous suord of pestilence.
?1515 Hyckescorner (de Worde) sig. A.iiiv They saye they be smyten with the swerde of pouerty.
1539 Bible (Great) Psalms lvii. 4 Whose tethe are speares and arowes, and their tonge a sharpe swerd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 88 This Auarice..hath bin The Sword of our slaine Kings. View more context for this quotation
a1628 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith 47 in Breast-plate of Faith (1631) Though the Law bee a sword, yet unlesse God take that sword into his hand [etc.].
1650 H. Vaughan Silex Scintillans 56 If thou giv'st words Dash not thy friend, nor Heav'n;..some Syllables are Swords.
1825 W. Scott Talisman xi, in Tales Crusaders IV. 237 You are the leader of our expedition—the sword and buckler of Christendom.
1895 S. Wheeler Ameer Abdur Rahman 66 Sharpening the sword of intention, to speak Asiatically, but not knowing when it might be used.
b. at the sword's point: under pressure of a threat or an urgent demand; at swords' points: in a state of open hostility; at swords drawn: on or at the point of fighting or quarrelling; in a state of open hostility. Cf. dagger n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > at variance [phrase]
in (also into, on, a) piecesa1275
in strife1398
at traversc1448
at issue1474
at a strife1488
at variancea1535
at square1545
at (a) jar1552
at (or to) daggers' drawing1556
at (a) mutiny1567
in (a) mutiny1567
at wrig-wrag1599
at daggers drawn1668
at (or at the, on the) outs1824
loggerhead1831
at daggers' points1857
at swords' points1890
the mind > emotion > hatred > enemy > [adverb]
at (or to) daggers' drawing1556
at wrig-wrag1599
at daggers drawn1668
at daggers' points1857
at swords' points1890
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > threat or threatening > [phrase] > threatened with a weapon
at the sword's point1890
at gunpoint1958
1890 A. Gissing Village Hampden II. xi. 243 We all live now at swords drawn.
1895 A. Beardsley Let. Nov. (1970) 104 The dreadful thing was a blaze up with Lane-cum-Mathews, and a drawing to be produced at the sword's point.
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. At swords' points.
1963 M. McCarthy Group x. 214 Mrs Hartshorn and her dead husband had had a running battle over Wilson and the League, and now Priss and Sloan were at swords' points over Roosevelt and socialized medicine.
3.
a. transferred. The use of the sword in warfare, massacre, etc.; hence, slaughter; warfare; military force or power; also, the military profession or class, the army.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military power > [noun]
swordc1000
strengthOE
powerc1300
force1303
land-power1490
bayonet1775
sword-arm1838
sabre1851
sword-craft1855
the world > life > death > killing > slaughter > [noun]
sleightc893
wal-slaught?a900
qualeeOE
deathOE
swordc1000
morthOE
slaughta1225
destroyingc1300
drepingc1300
martyrdomc1325
murderc1325
mortc1330
sleighterc1330
slaughter1338
iron and firea1387
murraina1387
manslaughtera1400
martyre?a1400
quella1425
occision?a1430
decease1513
destruction1526
slaughting1535
butchery?1536
butchering1572
massacrea1578
slaughterdom1592
slaughtering1597
carnage1600
massacring1600
slaughtery1604
internecion1610
decimationa1613
destroy1616
trucidation1623
stragea1632
sword-wrack1646
interemption1656
carnifice1657
panolethry1668
butcher work1808
bloodbath1814
populicide1824
man-slaughtering1851
battue1864
mass murder1917
genocide1944
overkill1957
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > [noun] > as a profession
sword1649
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) x. 34 Ne wene ge þæt ic come sybbe on eorþan to sendanne, ne com ic sybbe to sendanne ac swurd [Lindisf. suord].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Rom. viii. 35 Who therfore schal departe vs from the charite of God? tribulacioun, or angwisch, or hungur, or nakidnesse, or persecucioun, or perel, or swerd?
c1410 Lanterne of Liȝt viii. 45 Excesse of mete & drink sleeþ many moo þan doiþ þe swerid.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Eii Alerycus that rulyd the gothyaunce by swerd.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xv. 97 Thai recompens me vitht hungyr and vitht the sourd.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Gloucester viii Wasting the Countrey with swurde and with fyer.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. I3v See now ye slaues, my children stoops your pride And leads your glories sheep-like to the sword.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 36 If I were yong againe, the sword should end it. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης x. 96 It hath bin oft anough told him, that he hath no more autority over the sword then over the law.
1682 J. Dryden Medall 19 The Cut-throat Sword and clamorous Gown shall jar.
1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. xxiii I still support my precedens Abune them all for sword and sens.
1769 T. Gray Inscript. Villa in New Foundling Hosp. for Wit: Pt. 3rd 35 Purg'd by the sword, and beautify'd by fire.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. i. 5 These hireling combatants sold their swords for a time to the best bidder.
1832 J. Austin Province Jurispr. vi. 227 This influential portion [sc. the sovereign's counsellors] was formed by the nobility of the sword, the..clergy, and the members of the parliaments.
1839 E. Bulwer-Lytton Richelieu ii. ii The pen is mightier than the sword.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. i. 141 Anomalies and abuses, which were in strict conformity with the law, and which had been destroyed by the sword.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 16 Some of the exiles offered their swords to William of Orange.
b. to put (†do) to the sword, to kill or slaughter with the sword.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by stabbing or cutting
snithec725
ofstingeOE
stickOE
to sting to death13..
to put (do) to the sword1338
throata1382
to strike dead, to (the) deathc1390
hewc1400
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
poniard1593
stiletto1613
jugulate1623
kris1625
dagger1694
pike1787
to cut down1821
sword1863
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 47 Agode Erle of Warwik was don to þe suerd.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 35 The Turks..put to sword all that came in their way.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. iv. 156 To take His brother..and put him to the sword . View more context for this quotation
1759 D. Hume Hist. Eng. under House of Tudor I. ii. 323 De Thermes..took the fortress of Broughty, and put the garrison to the sword.
1891 H. Caine Scapegoat II. v. 122 A warrant to put every man, woman, and child to the sword.
c. Contrasted with ploughshare (in allusion to Isaiah ii. 4 and Micah iv. 3), as types respectively of war and peace: see ploughshare n. 1. Esp. in to beat swords into ploughshares.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make peace [verb (intransitive)]
to make grithc1000
grith11..
to make peace?a1160
peasec1300
to inform the peace?a1400
to bury the hatchet1535
seal1596
pacificate1646
to beat swords into ploughshares1924
Locarnize1925
1924 L. P. Smith in S.P.E. Tract (Soc. for Pure Eng.) No. XVII. 38 We must take them [sc. words] as they come to our hands; if they are ploughshares which have been beaten into swords, tools which have been made into battle-axes, they are tools nevertheless for which we have no substitutes.
1976 N. Thornburg Cutter & Bone x. 242 You know the old phrase about beating swords into plowshares—well I think you've beaten your grief into a sword.
4. As the instrument or symbol of penal justice; hence, the authority of a ruler or magistrate to punish offenders; more generally, power of government, executive power, authority, jurisdiction; also, the office of an executive governor or magistrate.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > [noun] > executive power
swordc1384
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > [noun] > beheading > sword or axe
swordc1384
axe1450
heading axec1480
heading swordc1480
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Rom. xiii. 4 Sothli if thou doist yuel thing, drede thou; for not withoute cause he berith the swerd.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Rom. Prol. sig. ++vv In the .xiij. he teacheth to honour the worldly and temporall swearde.
1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Avii Let ye preacher teach, improue, amende and instructe in ryghtwesnes, wyth the spyrituall swearde.
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. D3 Burgomasters and Gentlemen beare all the sway of both swords, Spiritual and temporall.
1598 Queen Elizabeth Warrant 20 Jan. in T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia (1633) i. i. 3 Upon the taking of our Sword, and chiefe charge of that our Realme of Ireland, as our Deputie.
a1628 R. Daborne Poor-mans Comfort (1655) v. sig. H2 You have felloniously usurpt The sword of Government.
1636 E. Reynolds Shieldes of Earth 19 Jurisdiction coercitive, or the power of the Sword.
1650 T. Hobbes De Corpore Politico 66 This Power Coercive, or (as men use to call it) the Sword of Justice.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xvii. 85 Covenants, without the Sword, are but Words.
1673 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 60 A very great part of this ground..has ever..belong'd to ye Sword.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe II. 29 Justice to merit does weak aid afford; She trusts her Ballance, and neglects her Sword.
1677 in C. E. Pike Essex Papers (1913) II. 124 I should with some regret have parted with ye sword into ye hands of my Lord Conway.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. i. 8 The magistrate..who bears the sword of justice by the consent of the whole community.
1915 Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. 219 Richemont..had been offered the sword of constable of France.
5. A material object resembling a sword.
a. One of various mechanical devices in the form of a flat wooden blade, bar, or rod.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > types of machine generally > [noun] > with specific shape
sword1530
spider1860
arm1881
bell1881
Christmas tree1917
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 278/2 Sworde for a flaxe wyfe, guinche.
1667 in J. Pettus Fodinæ Regales (1670) 35 Five Pair of large Smelting Bellows with Beams, Frames, Swords.
1766 Compl. Farmer at Flax The sword, or upright timber-rod between the treadle and the treadle crank.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 835/2 The workman closes it [sc. the woof] by one or two strokes of the lay or batten, of which WB, WB are called the swords.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 32 Every other part is..forced close home to the bolt with a wooden sword.
1863 J. Watson Theory & Pract. Weaving 149 Swords are these parts of the loom that the lay is fixed to.
1883 Man. Seamanship for Boys' Training Ships Royal Navy 182 A piece of wood made in the shape of a knife, called a sword, is..inserted between the alternate parts of the warp.
1886 J. Barrowman Gloss. Sc. Mining Terms 66 Sword, a rod connecting a pump bucket with the foot rod.
a1919 Advt. A strong useful Cart, fitted with Wing Boards and Tipping Sword.
1942 R. Davey Measurement of Trees ii. 28 When a tree lies on the ground, there may be some difficulty in passing the tape beneath it. A flat piece of metal with a hook at one end, called a ‘timber sword’ may be used for this purpose.
1953 H. L. Edlin Forester's Handbk. xiv. 213 Find the mid-point of the log, and pass a girthing tape around it; with large logs, the device called the timber-measurer's sword will be of assistance.
b. The sharp projecting jawbone of the swordfish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > suborder Scombroidei (mackerel) > [noun] > family Xiphiidae (swordfish) > xiphias gladius (swordfish) > part of
sword1641
1641 J. Symonds Serm. Westminster sig. Div They say there is a fish that hath a sword but no heart.
1681 N. Grew Musæum Regalis Societatis i. v. i. 87 The Sword grows in a level, not from the upper but the under Jaw.
1860 F. C. L. Wraxall Life in Sea v. 108 The keel of an East Indiaman was once bored by a twenty-foot Xyphias so violently, that the sword went in up to the roots.
c. A sword-like ray or flash of light.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > [noun] > ray or beam
beamc885
rowc1225
stringc1275
steamc1300
light beama1398
shafta1400
rayc1400
strakec1400
rade?a1563
gleed1566
radiation1570
shine1581
rayon1591
stralla1618
radius1620
rule1637
irradiation1643
track1693
emanation1700
spoke1849
spearc1850
slant1856
sword1866
secondary1921
1866 B. Taylor Hymn to Air in Poems The Sun's uplifted sword of flame.
1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 93 While swords of vivid light are brandished to and fro on to the hurrying clouds.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. Simple attributive.
sword-blow n.
ΚΠ
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality iv, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 86 Fire-arms were discharged and sword-blows given for upwards of five minutes.
sword-clash n.
ΚΠ
1946 R. Campbell Talking Bronco 45 Amidst the sword-clash of the reeds.
1969 G. M. Brown Orkney Tapestry 74 It was a long stern battle, hurling of missiles and sword-clash.
sword-edge n.
ΚΠ
1848 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 3) 211 The third one simply smote by the sword-edge All who dared doubt his darkly chequered tale.
sword-exercise n.
ΚΠ
1796 (title) Rules and Regulations for the Sword Exercise of the Cavalry.
sword-fight n.
ΚΠ
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie iv. iv. 316 Some they set to fight with beasts, some to fight one with another. These they called Gladiatores, swordplayers, & this spectacle, munus gladiatorium, a sword-fight.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 150 Where with single sword-fight they ended their quarrell, by dying both.
a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal Satyres (1673) 96 Shee's past a blush..That has renounc'd her sex, and, sleighting fears, Admires the sword-fights so.
sword-flash n.
ΚΠ
1874 R. Buchanan Poet. Wks. III. 228 Feeble as a maid who hides her face In terror at a sword-flash.
sword-frog n. [frog n.3 2]
ΚΠ
1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army ⁋615 The waist-belt with the Sword-frog supplied with the tools, is to be worn over the belt from which the tools are suspended.
sword-game n.
ΚΠ
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. (1636) iii. xx. 239 To fight..about the funerall fire, as if it would cleere all passed disgrace, if of a sword player, hee become a giver of sword-games.
1889 R. B. Anderson tr. V. Rydberg Teutonic Mythol. 216 The souls of warriors who had fallen in battle, and now imitated the sword-games they had played on earth.
sword-handle n.
ΚΠ
1799 Herschel in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 90 63 In clear nights..we may see a whitish patch in the sword-handle of Perseus.
1851 J. P. Nichol Archit. Heavens (ed. 9) 14 The spot in the Sword-handle of Perseus.
sword-hanger n. [hanger n.2 4b]
ΚΠ
1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Dict. at Talabarte Sword hangers.
sword-hate n.
ΚΠ
1912 E. Pound Ripostes 29 Disease or oldness or sword-hate Beats out the breath from doom~gripped body.
sword-hilt n.
ΚΠ
1455 in Meyrick Ant. Armour (1824) II. 144 A Scottysh swerde hylte and pomell covered with sylver.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) v. v. 28 Hold thou my Sword Hilts, whilest I runne on it.
1706 London Gaz. No. 4257/4 A Sword Hilt Maker.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 50 The hand, that slew till it could slay no more, Was glued to the sword-hilt with Indian gore.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 72 It was..not uncommon for the expiring knight to fix his eyes upon his sword hilt as a lively symbol of his faith.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. xvii. 315 Hereward swore awfully, and laid his hand on his sword-hilt.
sword-point n.
ΚΠ
1592 Arden of Feversham v. i. 69 He lyke a foole beares his sword point halfe a yarde out of danger.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 519 Rather to try the title by the sword point than by point of lawe.
1657 J. Bentham Χοροθεολογον 27 They stand at sword point against sin and transgressions.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xiv. 284 His sword-point turned to the ground.
sword-rust n.
ΚΠ
1923 D. H. Lawrence Birds, Beasts & Flowers (London ed.) 54 Think of it, from the iron fastness Suddenly to dare to come out naked, in perfection of blossom, beyond the sword-rust.
sword-scabbard n.
ΚΠ
1739 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. ci. 355 Such Wood as they make Bandboxes or Sword-Scabbards with.
sword-sheath n.
ΚΠ
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Sword-sheath, the scabbard or case for a sword.
1891 A. Conan Doyle White Company xx In vain were sword-sheaths, apple branches, and belts linked together, thrown out to him by his companions.
sword-stroke n.
ΚΠ
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. vi. 153 [He] stood firm within sword-stroke of his adversary.
1880 A. C. Swinburne Study of Shakespeare 79 Swift alike of speech and sword-stroke.
sword-sweep n.
ΚΠ
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 301 To get within the sword-sweep of those opposed to them.
sword-thrust n.
ΚΠ
1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Livingstone xxv. 243 Guy fairly staggered, as if he had received a sword-thrust.
sword-tip n.
ΚΠ
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. vi. 124 ‘I have found..only the weapons with which beauty is authorised to kill,’ says he, pointing to a wig with his sword-tip.
sword-wound n.
ΚΠ
1902 F. E. Hulme Proverb-lore 114 Sword-wounds may be healed, word-wounds are beyond healing.
C2. Instrumental.
a.
sword-armed adj.
ΚΠ
1640 J. Gower tr. Ovid Festivalls iv. 84 But e're the evening doth the sights conclude, Sword-arm'd Orion in the waves is stew'd.
1898 Rossetti in Ruskin, etc. (1899) 28 The sword-armed angels.
sword-girded adj.
ΚΠ
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 44 An armed knyght..Suerd girded & lance in hand.
sword-girt adj.
ΚΠ
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 159 Armed and suerd girte.
a1593 C. Marlowe tr. Lucan First Bk. (1600) i. 664 Sword-girt Orions side glisters too bright.
1855 P. J. Bailey Mystic 131 Some crowned and sword-girt conqueror.
b.
sword-hunter n.
ΚΠ
1867 S. W. Baker (title) The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, and the Sword Hunters of the Hamran Arabs.
C3. Objective.
a.
sword defence n.
ΚΠ
1809 Roland (title) The Amateur of Fencing; or a Treatise on the Art of Sword-Defence.
sword-fighter n.
ΚΠ
1647 H. Hexham Copious Eng. & Netherduytch Dict. A sword-fighter, een swaerdt-vechter.
sword-maker n.
sword-making n.
sword-setter n.
ΚΠ
1575–6 in Wodderspoon Mem. Ipswich (1850) 174 Prynters, fyshemongers, swordsetters.
sword sway n.
ΚΠ
1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. xxvi. 355 With sword-sway, and with lance's thrust.
b.
sword-rusting adj.
ΚΠ
1930 T. S. Eliot tr. ‘St.-J. Perse’ Anabasis 47 In the mirror of our dreams, the sword-rusting sea.
C4. Similative
sword-keen adj.
ΚΠ
1901 R. Kipling Kim viii, in McClure's Mag. May 68/2 He caught Mahbub's sword-keen glance.
sword-like adj.
ΚΠ
1579 J. Jones Arte preseruing Bodie & Soule i. xl. 87 Launcelike, swordlike.
1650 H. Vaughan Silex Scintillans 39 A swordlike gleame Kept man for sin First Out.
a1711 T. Ken Wks. (1721) I. 184 Maternal Pity pierc'd her through and through, Up to the hilt her Sword-like Sorrow flew.
1852 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 495 A stranger star, Swordlike in shape.
sword-shaped adj.
ΚΠ
1776 J. Lee Introd. Bot. (ed. 3) Explan. Terms 386 Ensiforme, sword-shaped, double-edged, gradually lessening from the Base to the Point.
1832 J. Lindley Introd. Bot. 382 Sword-shaped.., lorate, quite straight, with the point acute.
C5. See also sword-bearer n., sword-blade n., etc.† sword dagger n. Obsolete ? a heavy dagger.† sword-fencer n. Obsolete a gladiator.† sword-girdle n. Obsolete = sword-belt n.† sword-minded adj. Obsolete of cruel or sanguinary disposition, bloody-minded. † sword-wrack n. Obsolete destruction by the sword.
sword-and-basket trick n. a conjuring trick by which a child shut in a basket survives apparent thrusts from a sword.
ΚΠ
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 210/2 The sword-and-basket trick was common in India many years ago.
sword-and-buckler adj. armed with or using a sword and buckler; pertaining to or performed with sword and buckler; †figurative bragging, blustering (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > blustering or bravado > [adjective]
termagant1546
roisterly1555
swashing1556
puffing1566
roisting1567
cocking1568
braving1579
huffling1582
kill-cow1589
roister-doistering1593
roister-doisterly1593
hufty-tufty1596
swaggering1596
huff-cap1597
sword-and-buckler1598
huffing1602
pyrgopolinizing1605
bold-beatinga1616
swash1635
swaga1640
blustering1652
bravashing1652
hectoring1664
hectorly1676
huffy1677
huff-snuff1693
swashbuckling1693
flustering1698
blustery1739
huffish1755
bravading1812
topping1815
Bobadilish1832
Bobadilian1837
fanfaronading1837
bucko1883
swashbucklering1884
swaggery1886
blokeish1920
blokey1938
society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > shield > [adjective]
shielded971
pavised1584
sword-and-buckler1598
aegis-bearing?1609
bucklered1832
targeted1848
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adjective] > with sword
sword-bearingOE
swordedc1000
sword-and-buckler1598
sword-and-dagger1821
sword-in-hand1838
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 228 That same sword and buckler Prince of Wales. View more context for this quotation
1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angrie Women of Abington sig. F3 A man, a tall man and a good sword and buckler man, will be spitted like a cat or a conney.
1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angry Women of Abington (new ed.) sig. H2 I..put on my fellow Dickes sword and bucklers voyce, & his swounds and sbloud words.
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. E2 As he lived in a Roughling time, so he loved Sword and Buckler men.
1646 G. Daniel Ess. 23 in Wks. (Grosart) I. 80 Nor would I..engage My selfe in Controversie to the Age, With Sword and Buckler Langvage.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. i. 24 Our two sword-and-buckler men gave up their contest with as much indifference as they had entered into it.
1846 F. W. Fairholt Costume in Eng. 285 Sword-and-buckler play formed the usual relaxation of the London apprentices on ordinary occasions [temp. Hen. VIII].
sword-and-dagger adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adjective] > with sword
sword-bearingOE
swordedc1000
sword-and-buckler1598
sword-and-dagger1821
sword-in-hand1838
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > [adjective] > with knife
daggeredc1400
sword-and-dagger1821
knived1893
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. xii. 316 Any of these sword-and-dagger men.
sword-arm n. the arm with which the sword is wielded, the right arm; also rhetorically = military power or action, and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > arm > [noun]
armeOE
brawna1382
hand?a1425
branch1594
bridle arm1622
shield-arm1640
smiter1673
sword-arm1687
fin1785
pistol arm1800
spade-arm1804
pinion1848
liver wing1855
bow-arm1860
meathook1919
gun1973
society > armed hostility > military power > [noun]
swordc1000
strengthOE
powerc1300
force1303
land-power1490
bayonet1775
sword-arm1838
sabre1851
sword-craft1855
1687 W. Hope Scots Fencing-master 159 Stand not to an Ordinary Guard, for then he would Disable your sword Arm.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 167 I feel a little smart in my sword arm.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 133 The ‘Guard’ is continued by moving the sword-arm..to the right.
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Leila ii. i. 56 Methinks our best wisdom lies in the sword-arm.
1895 E. Wood Cavalry Waterloo Campaign iv. 107 His sword-arm being so hacked by sabres as to be practically severed.
1916 W. F. Monypenny & G. E. Buckle Life Disraeli IV. xiii. 480 Gathorne Hardy, who succeeded to Cairns's place as his ‘sword-arm’ when the fight was fierce in the House of Commons.
sword-bayonet n. a form of bayonet which may be used as a sword.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > knife or dagger > [noun] > bayonet
dagger1688
bayonet1704
fixed bayonet1802
ring bayonet1841
sword-bayonet1844
winkle-pin1924
spike1928
1844 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army 94 Rifle, Rammer, and Sword Bayonet.
sword-belt n. a belt by which the sword in its scabbard is suspended.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-belt
sword-girdlec1325
sword-belt1521
1521 Extr. Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 13 Item, ane swourd, buklar and swourd belt, vj s.
1534 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1905) VI. 184 Ane swerd belt of fresit ledder.
1777 W. Robertson Hist. Amer. (1783) III. 88 Hunger compelled them..to gnaw the leather of their saddles and sword-belts.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet II. xiii. 312 He wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a sullied sword belt.
1861 W. F. Collier Hist. Eng. Lit. 177 His broad sword-belt, supporting a Spanish rapier.
sword-bill n. a South American hummingbird, Docimastes ensiferus, with a very long bill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Apodiformes > [noun] > family Trochilidae (humming-bird) > unspecified and miscellaneous types of
zumbador1758
sunbeam1769
black warrior1831
hermit-bird1837
Anna's hummingbird1839
jacobin1843
straight-tail1843
vervain hummingbird1847
wedge-bill1848
fiery topaz1854
sungem1856
wood-star1859
calliope1861
rainbow1861
sabre-wing1861
sawbill1861
swallowtail1861
sword-bill1861
thorn-bill1861
visor-bearer1861
warrior1861
wood-nymph1861
puffleg1869
calliope hummingbird1872
flame-bearer1882
shear-tail1885
plature1890
rainbow starfrontlet1966
1861 J. Gould Monogr. Trochilidæ IV. Pl. 233 Sword~bill.
sword-breaker n. a device, as a dagger or buckler with a notch or hook, for breaking the blade of an adversary's sword.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > [noun] > notched or hooked weapon for breaking blades
sword-breaker1830
1830 S. R. Meyrick Engraved Illustr. Antient Arms & Armour II. Pl. 100 A sword breaker... The teeth give way in order to receive a blade struck against them, and close over it so that by a slight motion of the wrist it can be broken.
sword-cane n. a hollow cane or walking-stick containing a steel blade which may be drawn or shot out and used as a sword.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-stick, etc.
Jacob's staff1596
tuck-cane1700
tuck-stick1765
sword-cane1837
tickler1844
sword-stick1858
vinegar stick1935
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. v. 178 Snatch your..sword-canes, secret arms, and tickets of entry.
sword-case n. a case to hold a sword; in modern use, a receptacle at the back of a carriage for swords, sticks, or other articles.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-case or -stand
sword-case1576
sword-stand1894
1576–7 Registers S. Mary Woolnoth (1886) p. xxiv To the joyner for mendyng the sworde case for the Lorde Maior to sett up in the church against the pewe.
1699 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 511 A sword case to hould the King's sword.
1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 33 The sword case, so called from its length and convenience for carrying swords or sticks,..is sometimes called a boodge.
1852 Osborne in Times 3 Nov. A neat London-built brougham, with his lordship and the chaplain inside, the episcopal mace in the sword case.
sword-craft n. the art of using, or skill in the use of, the sword; military power.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military power > [noun]
swordc1000
strengthOE
powerc1300
force1303
land-power1490
bayonet1775
sword-arm1838
sabre1851
sword-craft1855
1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic Hist. Introd. vi. 31 They learn to tremble as little at priestcraft as at swordcraft.
1897 ‘H. S. Merriman’ In Kedar's Tents xxv. (heading) Sword~craft.
sword-cut n. (a) a cutting stroke or blow dealt with the edge of a sword; (b) a wound or scar produced by such a stroke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > wound by sharp weapon
stabc1440
foin1543
launch1558
veny1578
stog1587
venue1591
prickado?1592
pink1601
stabado1607
sword-cut1817
stab-wound1897
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or thrust with sword > [noun]
rounda1500
pass1604
firka1635
sword-cut1817
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. viii. 222 To have as many sword-cuts made, and pistols flashed at me, as [etc.].
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 160 Seam'd with an ancient swordcut on the cheek.
sword-cutler n. a cutler who makes sword-blades or swords.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > armourer > [noun] > one who makes swords or blades
sword-cutler1678
sword-smith1872
1678 London Gaz. No. 1363/4 Mr. Job Jeffs, Sword Cutler under the Greyhound Tavern in the Strand.
1714 B. Mandeville Fable Bees i. 61 Without being themselves guilty of, or accessary to them any otherwise than by way of Trade, as a Druggist may be to Poysoning, or a Sword-Cutler to Blood-shed.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 74 In France a sword-cutler is still called fourbisseur.
sword-cutlery n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > making of other specific articles or materials > [noun] > cutlery and blade making
cutlery1624
cutling1645
sword-cutlery1837
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. v. vi. 327 Do not..iron stancheons [transmute themselves] into the white-weapon..by sword-cutlery?
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > knife or dagger > [noun] > types of
anlacec1300
misericord1324
bodkin1386
baselardc1390
popperc1390
wood-knife1426
spudc1440
pavade1477
bistoury1490
skene1527
dudgeon1548
sword dagger1567
machete1575
kris1589
bum dagger1596
stillado1607
stiletto1611
steelet1616
hanjar1621
pisaa1640
jockteleg1642
khanjar1684
bayonet1692
kuttar1696
parazonium1751
skene-ochles1754
scalping-knife1759
snick-a-snee1760
manchette1762
snickersnee1775
guard-dagger1786
boarding knife1807
scalp-knife1807
kukri1811
skene-dhu1811
parang1820
stylet1820
belt knife1831
bowie-knife1836
scalper1837
sheath-knife1837
toothpick1837
tumbok lada1839
snick-and-snee knife1843
tickler1844
bowie1846
toad-sticker1858
simi1860
scramasax1862
kinjal1863
left-hander1869
main gauche1869
aikuchi1875
tanto1885
toad-stabber1885
cinquedea1897
trench knife1898
puukko1925
panga1929
quillon dagger1950
flick-knife1957
ratchet knife1966
sai1973
ratchet1975
1567 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 109 A very good yew bow and..a sword dagger.
sword-dance n. [compare Middle Low German swertdans, German schwertertanz, etc.] a dance in which the performers go through some evolutions with swords, or in which a person dances among naked swords laid on the ground; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > sword-dance or dancing > [noun]
matachin1578
sword-dance1604
sword-dancing1648
rapier dance1811
khalifa1856
sword-play1882
rapier sword dance1923
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > dance music > [noun] > sword dance
matachin1589
sword-dance1868
1604 J. Marston Malcontent i. iii. sig. B2v Heres a Knight..shall..: Doe the sword daunce, with any Morris-dauncer in Christendome.
1712 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 103 I made a Sword Dance against my Marlpit is flower'd.
1814 W. Scott Diary 7 Aug. in J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott (1837) III. iv. 162 The sword-dance, now almost lost, but still practised in the Island of Papa.
1868 Queen Victoria Jrnl. 14 The piper played, and one of the highlanders danced the Sword dance.
1884 Whittier in Harper's Mag. Jan. 179/1 The midnight sword-dance of the northern sky.
sword-dancer n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > sword-dance or dancing > [noun] > dancer
matachin1591
sword-dancer1648
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een sweerdt-dansser, a Sword-dauncer.
1777 J. Brand Observ. Pop. Antiq. 175 The Fool Plough goes about, a Pageant that consists of a Number of Sword Dancers, dragging a Plough, with Music.
1811 Gentleman's Mag. LXXXI. i. 423/2 In the North Riding of Yorkshire... On the feast of St. Stephen..6 youths (called sword-dancers, from their dancing with swords)..begin to travel from village to village, performing a rude dance, called the sword dance.
1897 Q. Rev. Oct. 489 The sword-dancers from Papa.
sword-dancing n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > sword-dance or dancing > [noun]
matachin1578
sword-dance1604
sword-dancing1648
rapier dance1811
khalifa1856
sword-play1882
rapier sword dance1923
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een sweerdt-dans, a Sword-dauncing with the point upon the palme of ones hands, or teeth.
1712 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 105 We..had Sword Dansing and a Merry-Night in ye Hall and in ye Barne.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II. (at cited word) There is a very singular custom, called sword-dancing, prevalent in many parts of Northumberland, and in the county of Durham, during the Christmas holidays.
sword dollar n. name for a Scottish silver coin of James VI, of the value of 30 shillings Scots (= 2 s. 6d. English), with the figure of a sword on the reverse.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Scottish coins > [noun] > silver coins
mark1379
noble1417
yokindale1536
Douglas groat1554
James Royal1567
leg1687
fourteen-shilling piece1695
thirteen-pence-halfpenny piece1723
spurred groata1773
sword dollar1825
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. at James Ryall The silver coin of James VI. of Scotland, vulgarly called the Sword Dollar.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > gladiatorial combat > [noun] > gladiator
swordmana1387
sword-player1538
gladiator1541
fence-man1558
fencer1587
sworder1594
Samnite1600
sword-fencer1600
mirmilloner1623
mirmillo1638
mirmillon1656
1600 P. Holland tr. Florus Breviaries xvi, in tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 390 Combates of swordfensors at the sharpe to the utterance.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 355 In the single Combats of Sword-Fencers (called Gladiatores).
sword-flighted adj. said of a bird having some of the wing-feathers contrasted in colour with the rest, suggesting a sword carried at the side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [adjective] > having wings > having feathers on > of particular type or colour
standardwinga1867
sword-flighted1868
standard-winged1875
pin-winged1890
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants II. xxvi. 349 Pouters properly have white primary wing-feathers, but not rarely a ‘sword-flighted’ bird, that is, one with the few first primaries dark-coloured, appears.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-belt
sword-girdlec1325
sword-belt1521
c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 165 Ta renge, thi swerd-girdel.
1523 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 43 It' for ij swerde gyrduls.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 22 A swoordgirdle decked with golde [Rev. i. 13] is a souldiorlyke furniture.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxxiii. xii. 483 Their sword girdles..gingle againe with thin plates of silver.
1647 H. Hexham Copious Eng. & Netherduytch Dict. A sword-girdle, een swaerdt-riem.
sword-hand n. the hand with which the sword is wielded, the right hand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > hand > [noun] > right hand
right handOE
destera1300
right halfc1350
right sidea1382
sword-hand1531
wand-hand1637
pistol hand1702
spear-hand1728
thumb-hand1750
whip hand1806
dexter1814
1531 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1905) VI. 21 To be scalbartis and to bynd swerd handis to the King, ane alne and half quartar veluett.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 145 Wounding him with a main blow on the elbow of the sword hand.
1705 J. Collier Ess. Moral Subj.: Pt. III i. 26 'Tis like a Wound in the Sword Hand; the Man is disabled in that which should defend him.
1882 Ld. Tennyson Charge Heavy Brigade iv. in Macmillan's Mag. Mar. 339 They rode, or they stood at bay—Struck with the sword-hand and slew.
sword-knot n. a ribbon or tassel tied to the hilt of a sword (originating from the thong or lace with which the hilt was fastened to the wrist, but later used chiefly as a mere ornament or badge).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > hilt of sword > ribbon tied to hilt
sword-knot1694
1694 N. H. Ladies Dict. 407/1 (bis) Your Spruce Crevat-strings, Swords-knots, and the rest of your Finical Dress.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) i. 7 Where Wigs with Wigs, with Sword-knots Sword-knots strive, Beaus banish beaus, and Coaches Coaches drive.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) All officers belonging to the British army are directed to wear sword-knots of a peculiar colour and make.
1881 R. Kipling Departm. Ditties (1899) 68 One sword-knot stolen from the camp.
sword-law n. government by the power of the sword, or by military force; martial law.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > a or the system of government > other systems > [noun] > military government
martial law1533
stratocracy1652
sword-law1667
stratarchy1691
statocracya1704
militarism1841
militaryism1848
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 672 So violence Proceeded, and Oppression, and Sword-Law . View more context for this quotation
1805 C. James New Mil. Dict. (ed. 2) Sword-law, When a thing is enforced, without a due regard being paid to established rules and regulations, it is said to be carried by sword-law, or by the will of the strongest.
1837 R. Browning Strafford iv. i. 88 Who bade him break the Parliament,—Find some pretext to set up sword-law.
sword-leaved adj. having sword-shaped or ensiform leaves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > plant defined by leaves > [adjective] > having leaves of particular shape or size
broad-leaved1552
long-leaved1562
narrow-leaved1578
round-leaved1597
small-leaved1597
long-leafed1629
rosemary-leaved1633
rue-leaved1633
teretifolious1657
cut-leaved1731
longleaf1733
channel-leaved1758
halberd-shaped1770
alder-leaved1772
oak-leaved1776
holly-leaved1777
ivy-leaved1789
halberd-headed1795
daisy-leaved1796
narrow-leaf1804
oblique-leaved1807
sword-leaved1807
wing-leaved1822
flaggy1842
curly1845
macrophyllous1857
parvifolious1857
shield-leaved1860
curled1861
symphyllous1877
beak-leaved188.
stenophyllous1880
thread-leaved1884
megaphyllous1901
little leaf1908
ivy-leaf1909
1807 J. E. Smith Introd. Physiol. & Systematical Bot. 368 Mr. Gawler's elucidations of the Ensatæ, Sword-leaved plants.
sword-mat n. Nautical a piece of matting used to protect parts of the rigging, etc., so called from the wooden ‘sword’ with which the fabric is beaten close in weaving.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > [noun] > stuff to prevent chafing
paunch1622
chafing-gear1840
sword-mat1851
paunch-matc1860
sword-matting1882
chafing-mat1883
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick xlvii. 238 Queequeg and I were mildly employed weaving what is called a sword-mat, for an additional lashing to our boat.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 32 What is the use of a sword mat? To keep the chafes off the lanyards of lower rigging, backstays, &c... Sword mats are usually made with nettle stuff.
sword-matting n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > [noun] > stuff to prevent chafing
paunch1622
chafing-gear1840
sword-mat1851
paunch-matc1860
sword-matting1882
chafing-mat1883
1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 126 The furling gaskets..are made of sword matting.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > bloodthirstiness > [adjective]
bloodyeOE
bloodlyc1425
bloodthirsty1539
bloody-minded?1545
cannibal1555
blood-thirsting?1569
sanguinolent1577
blood-drinking1594
cannibalian1602
sword-minded1603
sanguisugous1615
sanguinary1623
sanguinarian1637
sanguinarious1654
sanguinous1663
sanguine1705
cannibalic?1795
cannibalish1796
cannibalistic1827
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > fierceness > bloodthirstiness > [adjective]
bloodyeOE
bloodthirsty1539
bloody-minded?1545
cannibal1555
blood-thirsting?1569
bloodly1574
sanguinolent1577
blood-drinking1594
cannibalian1602
sword-minded1603
sanguisugous1615
sanguinary1623
sanguinarian1637
sanguinarious1654
sanguinous1663
sanguine1705
cannibalic?1795
cannibalish1796
cannibalistic1827
faggoty-minded1856
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xvi. 366 Those men sword-minded, can death entertaine.
sword-proof adj. proof against the sword; capable of resisting the stroke of a sword.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > [adjective] > proof against weapons
cannon-proof1588
pistol-proof1590
sword-proofa1593
musket-proof1603
arrow-proof1612
shot-free1616
bomb-proof1702
splinter-proof1834
bullet-proof1856
metal proof1906
hard1958
the world > action or operation > safety > [adjective] > safe or invulnerable > specific
pistol-proof1590
sword-proofa1593
fireproof1610
plot proofa1616
shot-free1616
stick-free1632
armour-proof1635
water-free1642
sting-free1644
iron-free1670
bomb-proof1702
ball-proof1759
bear-proof1840
bullet-proof1856
dingo-proof1873
aseismic1884
tamperproof1886
radioresistant1922
tamper-resistant1978
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. Bv Vnlesse his brest be sword proofe he shall die.
a1641 J. Webster & T. Heywood Appius & Virginia (1654) v. 60 My skin is not sword proof.
1821 W. M. Praed Gog i, in Poems (1865) I. 96 Sword-proof thenceforth from top to toe.
sword-rattling adj. figurative that threatens military action; aggressive, pugnacious; also as n. = sabre-rattling n. at sabre n. Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > war > militarism > [noun] > warmongering
sword-rattling1914
sabre-rattling1922
warmongering1940
rocket-rattling1960
society > armed hostility > war > militarism > [adjective] > warmongering
sword-rattling1914
rocket-rattling1960
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > threat or threatening > [noun] > threatening with weapons or military force
sword-rattling1914
sabre-rattling1922
rocket-rattling1960
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > threat or threatening > [adjective] > threatening with weapons or military force
sword-rattling1914
sabre-rattling1922
rocket-rattling1960
1914 Bulwark June 84/2 No doubt the Germans will know how to make their Prince acquainted with the unpopularity of his sword-rattling swagger.
1955 Times 12 May 1 (heading) Afghan ‘sword rattling’.
1955 Times 12 May 1 I would like to ask my Afghan friends whether they really think such a sword~rattling and offensive attitude is going to help them.
1978 Guardian Weekly 29 Jan. 6/3 There are 1,500 British troops in Belize.., as the result of Guatemala's sword~rattling last July.
sword-rest n. a stand for swords.
ΚΠ
1909 M. B. Saunders Litany Lane i. ix The determined little white face looked out from between two sword-rests.
sword-salve n. salve applied to a sword, and supposed to cure the wound inflicted by it (cf. weapon-salve n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > preparations to heal or generate tissue > [noun] > for healing wounds or fractures > for healing wounds > applied to weapon, etc.
weapon-salve1631
sword-salve1647
powder of sympathy1658
sympathetic powder1661
1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (1 Pet. ii. 24) We can hardly believe the power of sword-salve.
sword-service n. military service rendered as a due to the overlord.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military service > [noun] > type or manner of service > feudal
military service1586
serviceage1601
sword-service1630
society > law > legal obligation > [noun] > obligations of tenants > other obligations of tenants
bridgeworkOE
bedrip1226
timber-lodec1400
suit and service1416
suling-man1440
presence and suit1504
homage and suit?a1509
sect of court1546
wood-carriage1557
suit service1579
sword-service1630
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 182 The [French] King hath nothing of his Noblesse, but Sword-service.
1892 R. W. Cochran-Patrick Mediæval Scotl. i. 6 Strangers in blood to the tribe often joined a sept, and received a portion from the chief, giving in return their sword-service and customary dues.
sword-side n. [compare Old Frisian swerdsîda, Middle Low German swerdhalve, -sîde, German schwertseite, etc.] the male line in descent (= spear-side n. at spear n.1 Compounds 3a).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > lineage or descent > [noun] > a line of descent > side > male line or side
fatherkinc1405
sword-side1854
spear-side1861
patrilineage1949
patriline1957
1854 R. G. Latham Native Races Russ. Empire 189 Sarmatian (as a Scandinavian would say) on the sword-side.
a1861 F. Palgrave Hist. Normandy & Eng. (1864) III. ii. iii. 173 He argued, that he and Duke Robert were of equal rank, by reason of their consanguinity, Sword-side and Spindle-side counter~changed.
sword-smith n. a smith who makes swords, a sword-cutler.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > armourer > [noun] > one who makes swords or blades
sword-cutler1678
sword-smith1872
1872 E. L. Cutts Scenes Middle Ages 320 Some swordsmiths chanted magical verses as they welded them.
sword-stand n. = sword-case n.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-case or -stand
sword-case1576
sword-stand1894
1894 Archaeologia 54 45 Of the churches in the City to-day, thirty have one sword-stand each.
sword-star n. poetic name for a comet supposed to resemble a sword.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > comet or meteor > comet > [noun]
faxed stareOE
cometOE
blazing starc1503
besom1566
crinital star1580
blazera1635
Dog Star1727
sword-star1852
sungrazer1887
cometesimal1964
1852 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 520 Once more the blazing swordstar shewed in Heaven.
sword-stick n. = sword-cane n.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [noun] > sword-stick, etc.
Jacob's staff1596
tuck-cane1700
tuck-stick1765
sword-cane1837
tickler1844
sword-stick1858
vinegar stick1935
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Sword-stick, a walking-cane concealing a sharp, rapier-like weapon.
1906 C. N. Williamson & A. M. Williamson Car of Destiny xxxviii The old man had come out of the house with a Toledo sword-stick.
sword-swallower n. one who entertains for money by swallowing or pretending to swallow swords.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > legerdemain, etc. > [noun] > juggler or conjurer > types of
knife-warper?c1225
saccularian1652
fire-eater1676
fire king1796
juggler1807
stone-eater1820
sword-swallower1826
fire-swallower1857
salamander1859
jadoo-wallah1890
knife-thrower1905
gully-gully man1930
1826 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1827) II. 1196 He was assisted by a wretched looking female, who was a sword-swallower.
1901 W. R. H. Trowbridge Lett. Mother to Elizabeth xxxi. 153 The sword-swallower did some amazing things, and smacked his lips, as if the swords tasted nice.
sword-swallowing n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > legerdemain, etc. > [noun] > types of
knife-playinga1400
fire-eating1754
pyrotechnics1778
salamandership1787
juggling1836
second sight1859
sword-swallowing1873
palming1899
pyro1987
1873 Routledge's Young Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 137/2 What he told me about his sword swallowing was even more curious.
sword-tail n. an animal of the group Xiphosura, comprising only the genus Limulus; a king-crab.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > order Xiphosura or Merostomata > [noun] > member of
xiphosure1837
sword-tail1858
xiphosuran1879
merostome1881
1858 W. Baird Cycl. Nat. Sci. Xiphosura,..Sword-tails.
sword-tailed adj. having a sword-like tail.
sword-taker n. one who ‘takes the sword’ (Matthew xxvi. 52) without authority or right, a lawless killer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > man-killer or homicide > [noun] > murderer or assassin
banea800
murthereOE
quellerOE
manslaughta1225
manquellec1275
murderer1340
Cainc1380
drepera1400
sicariana1400
murder mana1450
interfector1450
murdrier1481
murdresara1500
assassin1531
cut-throat1535
cutter1569
baner1605
brave1606
bravo1609
dagger-mana1616
assassinate1621
assassinator1651
sword-taker1660
assassinant1662
banesman1870
hatchet man1876
murdermonger1900
hit-man1970
mechanic1972
contract killer1980
1660 R. Coke Justice Vindicated ii. 32 Though he makes no difference between Swordbearers and Swordtakers, between Gods Ministers, and Theeves and Robbers; yet the Holy Ghost does, for Gods Minister is a Swordbearer.
sword-tash n. used by Carlyle for sabre-tash, sabretache n.
ΚΠ
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia II. viii. ii. 305 He ‘wears his sword, but has no sword-tash (porte-épée)’.
sword-whale n. the grampus, also called swordfish n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Delphinidae > genus Orcinus (killer whale)
grampusa1529
orcc1590
herring-hoga1641
orca1653
springer1700
thrasher1709
killer whale1726
grampus-whale1744
thresher1787
sword-whale1860
1860 F. C. L. Wraxall Life in Sea i. 16 The Grampus, or Sword-whale..attains a length of twenty-five feet.
sword-work n. = sword-play n. 1; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun]
buckler-playing1468
fence1533
defence1549
noble science1549
buckler-play1575
fencing1581
digladiation1589
sword-play1627
escrime1652
the (noble, also manly) art of self-defence1724
science1729
swordmanship1781
swordsmanship1851
swording1891
sword-work1913
1913 Nation 28 June 484/2 Not only has he [sc . Sir John Simon] shown his greatest skill in this sword-work [etc.].
1977 P. Scupham Hinterland 58 Boughs come adrift Over the splayed sword-work of spring flowers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > slaughter > [noun]
sleightc893
wal-slaught?a900
qualeeOE
deathOE
swordc1000
morthOE
slaughta1225
destroyingc1300
drepingc1300
martyrdomc1325
murderc1325
mortc1330
sleighterc1330
slaughter1338
iron and firea1387
murraina1387
manslaughtera1400
martyre?a1400
quella1425
occision?a1430
decease1513
destruction1526
slaughting1535
butchery?1536
butchering1572
massacrea1578
slaughterdom1592
slaughtering1597
carnage1600
massacring1600
slaughtery1604
internecion1610
decimationa1613
destroy1616
trucidation1623
stragea1632
sword-wrack1646
interemption1656
carnifice1657
panolethry1668
butcher work1808
bloodbath1814
populicide1824
man-slaughtering1851
battue1864
mass murder1917
genocide1944
overkill1957
1646 G. Hills tr. M. K. Sarbiewski Odes Casimire 21 Forbeare cruell men to multiply With fire, sword-wrack, your single destiny.
C6. In names of plants having sword-shaped leaves or other parts, as See also sword-grass n.
sword aloe n. (see quot. 1731).
ΚΠ
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Aloe Africana caulescens, foliis minus glaucis caulem amplectentibus, floribus rubris. The Sword Aloe.
sword-bean n. the genus Entada, and Canavalia gladiata, from their large flat pods.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > pulses or plants producing pulses > [noun] > bean > other types of bean-plant
horse-bean1684
Angola pea1756
pole bean1770
Congo pea1812
Canavalia1828
no-eye pea1837
overlook1837
bean-vine1838
asparagus-bean1856
sword-bean1875
jack bean1885
horse-gram1886
winged bean1910
tepary1912
adzuki1914
siratro1962
1875 Encycl. Brit. III. 460/2 Beans or pulse, of no small importance as articles of diet, such as the..sword bean of India.
sword-fern n. name for several ferns with long narrow fronds, as the genus Xiphopteris, Polystichum munitum, native to western North America, Nephrolepis exaltata and other species, and Grammitis australis.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > ferns > [noun] > names applied to various ferns
oak ferna1400
osmund?a1425
polytrich1526
rough spleenwort1597
parsley fern1777
sword-fern1829
bird's nest fern1831
resurrection fern1870
1829 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Plants Xiphopteris. Sword-Fern.
1899 S. J. Cotes Path of Star i. 4 The bunch of sword-ferns..grew beside the door.
1932 J. Steinbeck Pastures of Heaven vi. 126 Swordferns grew rankly under the alders.
1976 Islander (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 4 Jan. 5/1 Most of the park is forest, the damp coastal rain forest of huge sword-ferns and gigantic cedar trees.
sword-flag n. the yellow water-flag, Iris Pseudacorus.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > iris and related flowers > irises
gladdona700
gladiolusc1000
flaga1387
fleur-de-lisc1390
regworta1400
yellow flag1526
lug1538
yellow lily1555
spurge-wort1562
swordling1562
garden flag1578
ireos1578
iris1578
stinking iris1578
water flag1578
yellow iris1578
fane1597
Florentine flower-de-luce1597
stinking gladdon1597
stinking sedge1597
velvet flower-de-luce1597
orris1609
sisyrinchium1629
luce1642
Florence iris1664
cuttle-haft1688
blue flag1732
snake's-head iris1739
flag-flower1753
roast-beef plant1800
shalder1825
flag-leaf1827
sweet sedge1839
poison flag1840
flagger1842
wedding-flower1869
mourning iris1874
flagon1878
Rocky Mountain iris1880
Florentine iris1882
Japanese iris1883
flag-lily1884
sword-flag1884
blue iris1886
thunderbolt1898
scorpion iris1900
1884 R. Jefferies Life of Fields 56 You must push through the reed grass to find the sword-flags.
sword-flax n. a name for the New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > yielding fibre, thatching, or basket material > [noun] > flax plants > New Zealand flax plant or stalk
phormium1783
New Zealand flax1789
korari1832
mountain flax1867
sword-flax1871
1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. I. 61 The little clover competes successfully even with the phormium tenax, the sword-flax.
sword-lily n. [compare Dutch zwaardlelie, German schwertlilie, etc.] the genus Gladiolus; in quot. 1845 applied to some water plant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > iris and related flowers > gladioli or freesia
gladiolec1420
corn-flag1578
corn-sedge1597
lily-grass1597
sword-grass1598
petty gladdon1601
sword-lily1786
Afrikaner1801
freesia1879
kalkoentjie1906
painted lady1906
Afrikander1913
glad1923
1786 J. Abercrombie Arrangem. Plants 73 in Gardeners Daily Assistant Gladiolus, sword-lily, or corn-flag.
1845 R. Browning Flight of Duchess xiii, in Bells & Pomegranates No. VII: Dramatic Romances & Lyrics 15/2 Where the bold sword-lily cuts the clear waters.
sword-rush n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > a grass or grasses > reedy or aquatic grasses > [noun] > sedges
starc1300
carexa1398
float-grassc1440
red sedge1480
sag1531
pry grassa1600
flea-grass1670
star-grass1782
sedge1785
sea sedge1796
sharp-pry-grass1803
blue star grass1807
whip-grass1814
flea-sedge1816
saw-grass1822
mud rush1824
tight-locka1825
nut grass1830
razor grass1834
twig-rush1836
nut rush1843
sand grass1856
mud sedge1859
niggerhead1859
nutsedge1861
pingao1867
sword-rush1875
tupak-grass1884
tussock-sedge1884
sennegrass1897
nigger's-head1921
1875 Melbourne Spectator 21 Aug. 190/1 The wrapping-paper, manufactured from the Sword-rush growing at Portland.
sword-sedge n. an Australian sedge, Lepidosperma gladiatum.
ΚΠ
1877 F. von Müller Introd. Bot. Teachings 124 Lepidosperma gladiatum, the great Sword-sedge of our coasts.
sword-weed n. a name for Cassia occidentalis, from its sword-shaped pods.
Draft additions December 2006
sword-tail n. a small, live-bearing freshwater fish, Xiphophorus helleri (family Poeciliidae), of Central America, which is pale green in the wild but bred in many colour varieties in captivity, the male having an elongated lower lobe to the tail fin.The ‘sword’ that the Greek genus name of the fish refers to is the modified anal fin, not the projection of the tail fin found in X. helleri: see quot. 1931.
ΚΠ
1905 D. S. Jordan Guide Study of Fishes II. x. 199 (caption) Sword-tail Minnow, male, Xiphophorus helleri Heckel. The anal fin modified as an intromittent organ.]
1915 Wellsboro (Pa.) Gaz. 2 Sept. 2/6 (heading) One hundred little sword tails born in aquarium.
1931 E. G. Boulenger Fishes xiii. 106 The Swordtails (Xiphophorus) of Mexican rivers are brilliant little fish about five inches long. The male is distinguished by a swordlike elongation of the lower portion of the tail, and a spiky development of the anal fin, which serves as an intromittent pairing organ.
1967 Times 18 Feb. 13/7 Whilst transferring a group of tropical fish from one tank to another I inadvertently and unknowingly dropped a young swordtail fish from the net.
1994 Nature 7 Apr. 494/1 In choice tests, swordtail females prefer males with larger swords.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
swordv.
rare.
1. transitive. To equip or arm with a sword. (See also sworded adj.)In quot. a1640 used satirically in reference to the previous speaker's words, and in double sense: see 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)] > arm with sword
girdOE
sworda1640
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Little French Lawyer iv. vi, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. K3/2 Sam... My Kingdome for a sword. Cham. I'll sword you presently, I'll claw your skin-coate too.
2. To strike, slash, or kill with a sword. Also absol. or intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > be killed [verb (intransitive)] > by stab or cut
stab1487
sword1863
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by stabbing or cutting
snithec725
ofstingeOE
stickOE
to sting to death13..
to put (do) to the sword1338
throata1382
to strike dead, to (the) deathc1390
hewc1400
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
poniard1593
stiletto1613
jugulate1623
kris1625
dagger1694
pike1787
to cut down1821
sword1863
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (intransitive)] > wound > cut
slash1548
gasha1694
sword1863
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon
woundc760
stickOE
snese?c1225
stokea1300
steekc1300
bearc1330
stangc1340
chop1362
broach1377
foinc1380
strikec1390
borea1400
dag?a1400
gorea1400
gridea1400
staira1400
through-girdc1405
thrustc1410
runc1425
to run throughc1425
traversec1425
spitc1430
through-seeka1500
stitch1527
falchiona1529
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
stob?1530
rutc1540
rove?c1550
push1551
foxa1566
stoga1572
poniard1593
dirk1599
bestab1600
poach1602
stiletto1613
stocka1640
inrun1653
stoccado1677
dagger1694
whip1699
bayonetc1700
tomahawk1711
stug1722
chiv1725
kittle1786
sabre1790
halberd1825
jab1825
skewer1837
sword1863
poke1866
spear1869
whinger1892
pig-stick1902
shiv1926
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or thrust with sword > strike with sword [verb (transitive)]
rove?c1550
whip1699
sword1863
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or thrust with sword > use or fight with sword [verb (intransitive)] > strike with sword
swinga1375
flish-flash1641
sword1863
1863 G. A. Sala Strange Adventures Capt. Dangerous III. iv. 144 That confounded Officer that I sworded.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in Gareth & Lynette 119 Swording right and left Men, women, on their sodden faces.
1882 R. Jefferies Bevis I. i. 14 The burdocks and the rest were not high enough yet, the Paynim scoundrels had not grown tall enough..to be slain with any pleasure, and a sense that you were valiantly swording.
3. transitive (figurative). To thrust or put forth like a sword.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1827 J. Clare Shepherd's Cal. 53 And mint and flagleaf, swording high Their blooms to the unheeding eye.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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v.a1640