Spanish dagger

American  

noun

1. a stemless or short-trunked plant, Yucca gloriosa, of the agave family, native to the southeastern United States, having leaves nearly 2½ feet (75 centimeters) long, with a stiff, sharp point, and greenish-white or reddish flowers nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide.

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Etymology

Origin of Spanish dagger

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Blasting unearthed a 16th century Spanish dagger, arrowheads, and fossils of ancient monkeys, horses, camels and a long-extinct creature known as a “bear dog.”

From Los Angeles Times

On the flagstone paving beneath both lanterns there were old plantation pots in which Spanish daggers grew and extended their sharply pointed stilettos.

From Literature

He stood, a tall palmetto-tree   With Spanish daggers guarding it;   Nor deed, nor word, to him seemed fit While she prayed on so silently.

From Project Gutenberg

This and the earlier Spanish dagger with a thumb-ring were distinctively the weapons of professional soldiers.

From Project Gutenberg

The Spanish daggers were very numerous, as were also mescal plants, both of these forming veritable thickets in places.

From Project Gutenberg