halberd

[ hal-berd, hawl-, hol-; formerly haw-berd ]

noun

1. a shafted weapon with an axlike cutting blade, beak, and apical spike, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.

halberd

/ ˈhælbəd; ˈhælbət /

noun

1. a weapon consisting of a long shaft with an axe blade and a pick, topped by a spearhead: used in 15th- and 16th-century warfare

Derived Forms

• ˌhalberˈdier, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of halberd¹

1485–95; earlier haubert < Middle French hallebarde < Middle Low German helmbarde, equivalent to helm handle (cognate with helm ¹ ) + barde broadax (cognate with Middle High German barte )

Word History and Origins

Origin of halberd¹

C15: from Old French hallebarde, from Middle High German helm handle, helm ¹+ barde axe, from Old High German bart beard

Example Sentences

Surrounded, Richard fought on ferociously until his skull was crushed by a halberd.

From The Daily Beast

A violent blow drew him from his ecstasy; his hat had been knocked off with the stroke of a soldier's halberd.

From Project Gutenberg

You have a halberd and I a sword, let us start our wanderings over the world.

From Project Gutenberg

The next moment M. de Piles fell, pierced by the halberd of one of the archers of the guard.

From Project Gutenberg

He was endued with a buff jerkin, wore a broad belt and cutlass by his side, and carried a halberd in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The jangle of a halberd as its bearer let the butt drop heavily on the stone steps added force to the summons.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bayonet