halberd

[ hal-berd, hawl-, hol-; formerly haw-berd ]
/ ˈhæl bərd, ˈhɔl-, ˈhɒl-; formerly ˈhɔ bərd /

noun

a shafted weapon with an axlike cutting blade, beak, and apical spike, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Also hal·bert [hal-bert, hawl-, hol-; formerly haw-bert] /ˈhæl bərt, ˈhɔl-, ˈhɒl-; formerly ˈhɔ bərt/.

Origin of halberd

1485–95; earlier haubert < Middle French hallebarde < Middle Low German helmbarde, equivalent to helm handle (cognate with helm1) + barde broadax (cognate with Middle High German barte)

Example sentences from the Web for halberd

British Dictionary definitions for halberd

halberd

halbert (ˈhælbət)

/ (ˈhælbəd) /

noun

a weapon consisting of a long shaft with an axe blade and a pick, topped by a spearhead: used in 15th- and 16th-century warfare

Derived forms of halberd

halberdier, noun

Word Origin for halberd

C15: from Old French hallebarde, from Middle High German helm handle, helm 1 + barde axe, from Old High German bart beard