swordplay

[ sawrd-pley, sohrd- ]

/ ˈsɔrdˌpleɪ, ˈsoʊrd- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR swordplay ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the action or technique of wielding a sword; fencing.

Nearby words

swordbearer, swordbill, swordcraft, swordfish, swordman, swordplay, swordsman, swordstick, swordswoman, swordtail, swore

Origin of swordplay

First recorded in 1620–30; sword + play

Related formssword·play·er, noun

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

Examples from the Web for swordplay

My failure to run him through in that moment of jeopardy inspired him with a contempt of my swordplay.
Bardelys the Magnificent|Rafael Sabatini
The flashes of lightning in her swordplay are highly interesting.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 14|Elbert Hubbard
He swam, rowed, walked, and could tire out any of his colleagues at swordplay or skittles.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 4 (of 14)|Elbert Hubbard
This is no place for swordplay, however brilliant it may be.
Ainslee's, Vol. 15, No. 6, July 1905|Various

It were needless that he should have wasted so much precious time from swordplay to learn the useless art of letters.
The Outlaw of Torn|Edgar Rice Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for swordplay

swordplay

/ (ˈsɔːdˌpleɪ) /

noun

the action or art of fighting with a sword

verbal sparring

Derived Formsswordplayer, noun

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 swordplay

swordplay

Old English sweordplege; see sword + play (n.).