machete

[muh-shet-ee, -chet-ee]

noun

1. a large heavy knife used especially in Latin American countries in cutting sugarcane and clearing underbrush and as a weapon.

2. a tarpon, Elops affinis, of the eastern Pacific Ocean, having an elongated, compressed body.

machete

/ -ˈtʃeɪ-, məˈʃɛtɪ /

noun

1. a broad heavy knife used for cutting or as a weapon, esp in parts of Central and South America

Word History and Origins

Origin of machete¹

First recorded in 1575–1600; < Spanish, equivalent to mach(o) “mallet” ( mace ¹ ) + -ete noun suffix ( -et ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of machete¹

C16 macheto, from Spanish machete, from macho club, perhaps from Vulgar Latin mattea (unattested) club

Example Sentences

The gruesome ambush didn’t end until one victim had been chased through his apartment building, and his head pierced with a machete.

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The types of knives found included machetes, pen knives, flick knives, butterfly knives and swords.

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The Southport attacker bought a machete with a 16.5 inch blade from a knife retailer that showed "no curiosity" over who was buying its weapons, a public inquiry heard.

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He asked: "Did AR have any remote reason - as far as you can really tell - or his family to be ordering machetes?"

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Mr Moss said the killer's internet use and purchase of weapons - including machetes and archery equipment - would also be significant.

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Related Words

• blade 
• knife 
• sickle