sickle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an edge tool for cutting grass or crops; has a curved blade and a short handle
    reaping hook; reap hook.

WordNet

Sic"kle noun
Etymology
OE. sikel, AS. sicol; akin to D. sikkel, G. sichel, OHG. sihhila, Dan. segel, segl, L. secula, fr. secare to cut; or perhaps from L. secula. See Saw a cutting instrument.
Definitions
  1. A reaping instrument consisting of a steel blade curved into the form of a hook, and having a handle fitted on a tang. The sickle has one side of the blade notched, so as always to sharpen with a serrated edge. Cf. Reaping hook, under Reap.
    When corn has once felt the sickle, it has no more benefit from the sunshine. Shak.
  2. (Astron.) A group of stars in the constellation Leo. See Illust. of Leo.

Webster 1913