sword
[ sawrd, sohrd ]
/ sɔrd, soʊrd /
noun
a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.
this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc.: The pen is mightier than the sword.
a cause of death or destruction.
war, combat, slaughter, or violence, especially military force or aggression: to perish by the sword.
(initial capital letter) Military.
the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.
Idioms for sword
Origin of sword
before 900; Middle English; Old English
sweord; cognate with Dutch
zwaard, German
Schwert, Old Norse
sverth
OTHER WORDS FROM sword
sword·less, adjective sword·like, adjectiveWords nearby sword
swonken,
swoon,
swoop,
swoosh,
swop,
sword,
sword bayonet,
sword bean,
sword belt,
sword cane,
sword dance
British Dictionary definitions for cross swords
sword
/ (sɔːd) /
noun
a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two cutting edges, a hilt, and usually a crosspiece or guard
such a weapon worn on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority
something resembling a sword, such as the snout of a swordfish
cross swords
to argue or fight
the sword
- violence or power, esp military power
- death; destructionto put to the sword
Derived forms of sword
swordless, adjective swordlike, adjectiveWord Origin for sword
Old English
sweord; related to Old Saxon
swerd, Old Norse
sverth, Old High German
swert
Idioms and Phrases with cross swords (1 of 2)
cross swords
Fight, either verbally or physically. For example, At every policy meeting the two vice-presidents crossed swords. This phrase alludes to the ancient form of combat using swords. Also see at sword's point.
Idioms and Phrases with cross swords (2 of 2)
sword