scimitar

or scim·i·ter, sim·i·tar

[sim-i-ter]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scimitar ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a curved, single-edged sword of Asian, especially Eastern origin.

Nearby words

Origin of scimitar

1540–50; < Italian scimitarra, ultimately < Persian

Related formsscim·i·tared, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for scimitar

The scimitar mouth pulled back in a mad crow of triumph, the face sweating with guilty pleasure.
End the Damn Dickmanship!|Tina Brown|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Over 6000 of them either fell under the scimitar or were taken prisoner.
The Book of Missionary Heroes|Basil Mathews
Tinker received a scimitar from the hands of Mr. Figgins, and flourished it gaily round his head.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
In Curzon's figure the lion is standing, not 'couchant', as stated by Malcolm, and grasps a scimitar in his off forepaw.
Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official|William Sleeman

But just higher than the first crest of the Scimitar were other rows of Turkish trenches.
New Zealanders at Gallipoli|Major Fred Waite
The astonishment here was much greater than at the sight of my scimitar.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift

British Dictionary definitions for scimitar

scimitar

rarely simitar

noun

an oriental sword with a curved blade broadening towards the point

Word Origin for scimitar

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for scimitar

scimitar

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.