pommel

[ puhm-uhl, pom- ]

/ ˈpʌm əl, ˈpɒm- /

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noun

a knob, as on the hilt of a sword.

the protuberant part at the front and top of a saddle.

Architecture. a spherical ornament or finial.

Gymnastics. either of the two curved handles on the top surface of a side horse.

verb (used with object), pom·meled, pom·mel·ing or (especially British) pom·melled, pom·mel·ling.

to beat or strike with or as if with the fists or a pommel.

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Also pummel.

Origin of pommel

1300–50; (noun) Middle English pomel<Middle French, derivative of Old French pom hilt of a sword <Latin pōmum fruit; see pome, -elle

Words nearby pommel

pomiculture, pomiferous, Pommard, pomme blanche, pommée, pommel, pommel horse, pommelo, Pommern, pommes frites, pommy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pommel in a sentence

A fixed-blade knife’s strength is determined by how much of the blade stock continues through to the pommel undiminished.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Knife|Wes Siler|September 3, 2020|Outside Online
Sheaths that position a knife’s pommel higher than your belt line cause that pommel to dig into your side or back as you move, which may result in injury should you fall.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Knife|Wes Siler|September 3, 2020|Outside Online
Letting the rifle drop and swing from the pommel, he met the charge of two grinning and scowling lancers.
Overland|John William De Forest
From the pommel of his saddle hung a Venetian casque, which he had doffed for a turban, a more comfortable head-gear on the route.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue

"Miss Van Diemen, it shall all turn out well," he said, striking his fist on the pommel of his saddle.
Overland|John William De Forest
The weary lady had no response ready for words of cheer; she leaned heavily over the pommel of her saddle and rode on in silence.
Overland|John William De Forest
The dogs were stopped and the deer thrown over the pommel of one of the boys, and we rode on to try the Brunswick swamp.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pommel

pommel

/ (ˈpʌməl, ˈpɒm-) /

noun

the raised part on the front of a saddle

a knob at the top of a sword or similar weapon

verb -mels, -melling or -melled or US -mels, -meling or -meled

a less common word for pummel

Word Origin for pommel

C14: from Old French pomel knob, from Vulgar Latin pōmellum (unattested) little apple, from Latin pōmum apple

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

pommel

Origin of pommel

Words nearby pommel

Words related to pommel

How to use pommel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pommel

Word Origin for pommel