rapier

[ rey-pee-er ]
/ ˈreɪ pi ər /

noun

a small sword, especially of the 18th century, having a narrow blade and used for thrusting.
a longer, heavier sword, especially of the 16th and 17th centuries, having a double-edged blade and used for slashing and thrusting.

Origin of rapier

1545–55; < Middle French ( espee) rapiere literally, rasping (sword); see rape3

OTHER WORDS FROM rapier

ra·pi·ered, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for rapier

British Dictionary definitions for rapier

rapier
/ (ˈreɪpɪə) /

noun

a long narrow two-edged sword with a guarded hilt, used as a thrusting weapon, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries
a smaller single-edged 18th-century sword, used principally in France

Derived forms of rapier

rapier-like, adjective

Word Origin for rapier

C16: from Old French espee rapiere, literally: rasping sword; see rasp 1