sword-bearer

[ sawrd-bair-er ]

nounBritish.
  1. an official who carries the sword of state on ceremonial occasions, as before the sovereign, a magistrate, or the like.

Origin of sword-bearer

1
First recorded in 1400–50, sword-bearer is from the late Middle English swerd berer. See sword, bearer

Words Nearby sword-bearer

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

How to use sword-bearer in a sentence

  • The sword bearer, like the henchman and the bard, was a regular officer attached to the person of a Highland Chief.

    Lady of the Lake | Sir Walter Scott
  • I was made drink-boy and sword-bearer to him, and in lieu of other name was called Ragnar Lodbrog.

  • There was a crouching sword-bearer, holding upright a long sword in a heavily embossed golden scabbard.

    Siam | George B. Bacon
  • In it sits Sir Thomas White, supported by his chaplain, and attended by his sword-bearer and the common crier.

  • From 1522 up to 1545-46, when he appears as sword-bearer to Wishart, his life is to us almost a blank.

    The Scottish Reformation | Alexander F. Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for swordbearer

swordbearer

/ (ˈsɔːdˌbɛərə) /


noun
  1. an official who carries a ceremonial sword

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