cutlass

Or cut·las

[kuht-luhs]

noun

1. a short, heavy, slightly curved sword with a single cutting edge, formerly used by sailors.

cutlass

/ ˈkʌtləs /

noun

1. a curved, one-edged sword formerly used by sailors

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutlass¹

1585–95; earlier coutelace < Middle French coutelas, equivalent to coutel knife ( French couteau ) (< Latin cultellus; cultellus ) + -as augmentative suffix; cognate with Italian coltellaccio big knife; curtalax

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutlass¹

C16: from French coutelas, from coutel knife, from Latin cultellus a small knife, from culter knife; see _coulter

Related Words

• ammunition 
• bomb 
• cannon 
• firearm 
• gun 
• knife 
• machete 
• machine gun 
• missile 
• nerve gas 
• pistol 
• revolver 
• rifle 
• shotgun 
• sword 
• tear gas