cutlass

or cut·las

[ kuht-luh s ]

/ ˈkʌt ləs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cutlass ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

Nearby words

cutis plate, cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, cutis vera, cutis verticis gyrata, cutisector, cutlass, cutlass fish, cutlassfish, cutler, cutlery, cutlet

Origin of cutlass

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cutlass

Bidding Landers draw his cutlass and follow him, he rushed out at the door he had before opened.
Fighting for the Right|Oliver Optic
It will be a narrow match enough between you with the cutlass, which was the weapon I stuck out for for your sake.
Athelstane Ford|Allen Upward
Knows the cutlass exercise as well, and has had considerable experience in bullets, knives, and ropes.
Captain Brand of the "Centipede"|H. A. (Henry Augustus) Wise
And then all the Papists laughed till the woods rang; he was slashing away with a cutlass as he spoke.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson

Dick, on finding himself free, sprang to his feet and grasped the cutlass which was put into his hands.
The Rival Crusoes|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for cutlass

cutlass

/ (ˈkʌtləs) /

noun

a curved, one-edged sword formerly used by sailors

Word Origin for cutlass

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012