claymore
- a two-handed sword with a double-edged blade, used by Scottish Highlanders in the 16th century.
- a Scottish broadsword with a basket hilt.
Origin of claymore
Related Words for claymore
blade, dagger, saber, brand, foil, cutlass, rapier, hanger, sabre, broadsword, kris, epee, creese, claymore, falchion, backsword, scimitar, toledo, dirk, bilboExamples from the Web for claymore
Historical Examples of claymore
Nor less emphatic is his railing at the plaid and blaspheming at the claymore.
The Book-HunterJohn Hill Burton
I thought the weather guaranteed me a season's rest, but here's the claymore again!
John SplendidNeil Munro
He then drew his claymore, and cut the cords which bound the intended victim.
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745Mrs. Thomson
Donald Roy leaped to his feet, waved his sword and shouted “Claymore!”
A Daughter of RaasayWilliam MacLeod Raine
The former was laid dead on the ground by a stroke from a claymore.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.Thomas Babington Macaulay
claymore
- a large two-edged broadsword used formerly by Scottish Highlanders
- a US type of antipersonnel mine
Word Origin for claymore
Word Origin and History for claymore
1749, "two-edged broadsword of ancient Scottish Highlanders," from Gaelic claidheamh mor "great sword," from claidheb "sword" (cf. Welsh cleddyf), possibly from PIE root *kel- "to strike" (see holt) + mor "great" (cf. Welsh mawr; see more). An antiquarian word made familiar again by Scott's novels; modern military application to pellet-scattering anti-personnel mine is first attested 1962.