épée

¹

or e·pee

[ ey-pey, ep-ey ]

noun

, Fencing.

1. a rapier with a three-sided blade and a guard over the tip.
2. the art or sport of fencing with an épée, points being made by touching any part of the opponent's body with the tip of the weapon.

Épée

²

[ ey-pey ]

noun

1. Charles Michel, Abbé de l', 1712–89, French priest and teacher of the Deaf: pioneer in the development of sign language.

épée

/ ˈɛpeɪ; epe /

noun

1. a sword similar to the foil but with a larger guard and a heavier blade of triangular cross section

Word History and Origins

Origin of épée¹

1885–90; < French: sword < Latin spatha sword < Greek spáthē blade. See spade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of épée¹

C19: from French: sword, from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē blade; see spade ¹

Example Sentences

The soul of Epee, son of Panope, preferred the condition of a woman skillful in handiworks.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• saber