cinquedea

[ching-kwi-dee-uh, -dey-uh]

noun

1. an Italian short sword of the late 15th and early 16th centuries having a broad, tapering blade, often richly ornamented.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinquedea¹

1895–1900; < Italian, equivalent to cinque five (≪ Latin quīnque ) + dea (dial.) fingers, akin to dito finger (< Latin digitus; digit )

Example Sentences

In the table cases in this room are odd portions of armour: gorgets, gauntlets, cuisshes, &c., daggers, knives, and swords, including good examples of the Cinquedea, or short broad-bladed sword peculiar to Northern Italy.

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