scimitar
or scim·i·ter, sim·i·tar
[sim-i-ter]
- a curved, single-edged sword of Asian, especially Eastern origin.
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Origin of scimitar
1540–50; < Italian scimitarra, ultimately < Persian
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for scimitar
Contemporary Examples
The scimitar mouth pulled back in a mad crow of triumph, the face sweating with guilty pleasure.
Historical Examples
A scimitar between his teeth would be completely in character!
Cubs of the WolfRaymond F. Jones
Of civet and scimitar I believe it can only be asserted that they are Eastern.
English Past and PresentRichard Chevenix Trench
Down came the scimitar with a swish in the direction of his head.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The TurksBracebridge Hemyng
Dropping his scimitar, he then had a struggle for the flute.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The TurksBracebridge Hemyng
At last, he decided in favour of a Turkish robe, with a scimitar and a turban.
The Blue Bird for ChildrenGeorgette Leblanc
scimitar
rarely simitar
- an oriental sword with a curved blade broadening towards the point
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Word Origin
C16: from Old Italian scimitarra, probably from Persian shimshīr, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for scimitar
n.
1540s, cimiterie, from Middle French cimeterre (15c.) or Italian scimitarra, of uncertain origin. Turkish would be the expected source, but no such word has been found there. Perhaps from Persian shimshir (pronounced "shamsher," cf. Greek sampsera "a barbarian sword," from this source), but OED finds this "unsatisfactory as to form." Many early variations; the modern spelling is from influence of the Italian form of the word. Century Dictionary (1902) has simitar as preferred spelling.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper