a light sword used in the 17th and 18th centuries: formerly a fencing weapon
smallsword in American English
(smɔlˌsɔrd)
noun
a light, tapering, straight sword, used esp. in fencing
smallsword in American English
(ˈsmɔlˌsɔrd, -ˌsourd)
noun
a light, tapering sword for thrusting, formerly used in fencing or dueling
Word origin
[1680–90; small + sword]This word is first recorded in the period 1680–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: bull's-eye, commercial, commode, gangway, picket