basket hilt

American  

noun

1. the basketlike hilt of a sword, foil, etc., serving to cover and protect the hand.

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basket hilt British  

noun

1. a hilt fitted to a broadsword, with a generally padded basket-shaped guard to protect the hand

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Other Word Forms

• basket-hilted
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of basket hilt

First recorded in 1540–50

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

basket hilt

Jody stood overwhelmed by the thing in Gitano’s hand, a lean and lovely rapier with a golden basket hilt.

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

The usual weapon amongst the students is a long two-edged sword, with a basket hilt, round which the colours of the Chore are wound.

From The Student-Life of Germany by William Howitt

I have found them in my gloves, tied into the basket hilt of my sword--often they are brought to me like ordinary letters by a messenger who waits for an answer.

From In the Palace of the King A Love Story of Old Madrid by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford

It was a straight, one-edged blade, with a sharp point, and a brass basket hilt, and he remarked: “Señor Zuroaga, I could hit with that, I guess.”

From Ahead of the Army by C. Chase Emerson

A broad baldric of green silk hung from his shoulder across his breast, and supported at his side a long sword with an enormous basket hilt, through which somewhat coquettishly peeped a white lace handkerchief.

From The Crusade of the Excelsior by Bret Harte

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