sword

American  

[sawrd, sohrd] / sɔrd, soʊrd /

noun

1. 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.

2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc..

   The pen is mightier than the sword.

3. a cause of death or destruction.

4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression.

   to perish by the sword.

5. Military. Sword. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.

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idioms

1. at swords' points, mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed.

   Father and son are constantly at swords' point.

2. put to the sword, to slay; execute.

   The entire population of the town was put to the sword.

3. cross swords,

   1. to engage in combat; fight.

   2. to disagree violently; argue.

      The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.

sword British  

/ sɔːd /

noun

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. to argue or fight

5. 1. violence or power, esp military power

   2. death; destruction

      to put to the sword

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sword More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing sword

• at sword's point
• cross swords

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Other Word Forms

• swordless adjective
• swordlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of sword

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

Example Sentences

He said he had done self-defence training at MI5's London headquarters, Thames House, with a ninjutsu instructor, describing it as "swords and knives and stuff".

From BBC

It was always the hand of the legionary soldier, wielding the sword.

From The Wall Street Journal

Britain and Rwanda cross swords at an international court from Wednesday, with Kigali seeking more than £100 million it says London still owes from a scrapped deal to deport migrants.

From Barron's

Ireland destroyed England then had a dip against Italy and Wales before putting Scotland to the sword.

From BBC

For nearly a century, the Oscar statuette has been Hollywood’s most enduring symbol of success, a gold-plated knight gripping a crusader’s sword, designed to look as permanent as the honor it represents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• weapon