sword Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
    steel; brand; blade.

WordNet

Sword noun
Etymology
OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sver, Sw. svärd, Dan. sværd; of uncertain origin.
Definitions
  1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharppointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
  2. 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.
  3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
    I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt. x. 34.
  4. The military power of a country.
    He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. Milton.
  5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

Webster 1913