fauchard

[ foh-shahr; French foh-shar ]

noun

, plural fau·chards [foh-, shahrz, foh-, shar].

1. a shafted weapon having a knifelike blade with a convex cutting edge and a beak on the back for catching the blade of an aggressor's weapon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fauchard¹

< French; Old French fauchart, equivalent to fauch ( er ) to cut with a scythe (< Vulgar Latin *falcāre, derivative of Latin falx, stem falc- sickle) + -art -art

Example Sentences

She passed, with her two gentlemen, but the French sentinel barred the way, holding his fauchard thwartwise.

From Project Gutenberg

He dropped his fauchard over his shoulder, and stood aside, staring impudently at the Maiden, and muttering foul words.

From Project Gutenberg