- Sword belt
- Sword Sword (s[=o]rd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to
OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G.
schwert, Icel. sver[eth], Sw. sv["a]rd, Dan. sv[ae]rd; of
uncertain origin.]
1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually
sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is
the general term, including the small sword, rapier,
saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power. [1913 Webster]
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain. --Rom. xiii. 4. [1913 Webster]
She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. [1913 Webster]
I came not to send peace, but a sword. --Matt. x. 34. [1913 Webster]
4. The military power of a country. [1913 Webster]
He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. [1913 Webster]
{Sword arm}, the right arm.
{Sword bayonet}, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which can be used as a sword.
{Sword bearer}, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad.
{Sword belt}, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side.
{Sword blade}, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword.
{Sword cane}, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath.
{Sword dance}. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. --Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them.
{Sword fight}, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay.
{Sword grass}. (Bot.) See {Gladen}.
{Sword knot}, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.
{Sword law}, government by the sword, or by force; violence. --Milton.
{Sword lily}. (Bot.) See {Gladiolus}.
{Sword mat} (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture.
{Sword shrimp} (Zo["o]l.), a European shrimp ({Pasiph[ae]a sivado}) having a very thin, compressed body.
{Sword stick}, a sword cane.
{To measure swords with one}. See under {Measure}, v. t.
{To put to the sword}. See under {Put}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.