sickle

[sik-uhl]

noun

1. an implement for cutting grain, grass, etc., consisting of a curved, hooklike blade mounted in a short handle.

2. Astronomy.,  Sickle, a group of stars in the constellation Leo, likened to this implement for its curved, sickle-like shape.

sickle

/ ˈsɪkəl /

noun

1. an implement for cutting grass, corn, etc, having a curved blade and a short handle

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English sikel, Old English sicol; cognate with Dutch zikkel, German Sichel, all ultimately derived from Latin secula, equivalent to sec(āre) “to cut” + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickle¹

Old English sicol, from Latin sēcula; related to secāre to cut

Example Sentences

The biotech said a Phase 3 trial for mitapivat, a drug to treat sickle cell disease, had failed to meet several endpoints.

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He waves his hand and materializes pointed sickles in the trolls’ hands.

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The technology could be especially promising for couples who have the same genetic condition, such as in Nigeria, where many people have sickle cell disease, he wrote.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They point to the fact that a sickle cell therapy that costs £1.65 million per patient and a haemophilia B one that cost £2.6 million have already been backed by the health assessment body.

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Armed police were sent to challenge Samuel Rowe as he walked home from his allotment in Chorlton, Manchester, carrying the tool, a peeling knife and a sickle.

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Related Words

• bayonet 
• blade 
• cutter 
• dagger 
• machete 
• scalpel 
• skewer 
• sword