The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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.
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Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain.
--Rom. xiii. 4.She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
--Dryden. -
Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
I came not to send peace, but a sword.
--Matt. x. 3 -
4. The military power of a country.
He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law.
--Milton. -
(Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. 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 dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers.
--Sir W. Scott.-
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.
Usage examples of "sword blade".
Steel screaked a protest as the flail's chain wrapped around and around the harder sword blade.
The sword blade flashed white and hummed all the way through the hilt.
I stared blankly at Del, recalling how easily she had slipped the sword blade into Aladar's belly.
She slipped the edge of her sword blade under the leather cord on Madia's pouch and sliced back.
He caught the dull flash of a sweeping sword blade as it whisked past his unprotected head and his own knife came up to ward off the blow.
Slinging the long sword blade so fast and viciously it hissed in the thin mountain air, Sunbright aimed for the orc's head below its helmet.
Valdora's body twitched as a sword blade erupted from the center of her chest.
One day, when the sky was the dull grey of a sword blade, he walked as far as the second bridge, and paused by the frozen stream.
The castellan stopped and lifted a fragment of a sword blade from the wall.
I walked down into the mist, groping ahead of me with my sword blade.
Kahlan froze in her tracks as a sword blade appeared in front of her face.