n.1 a the flat part of a knife, chisel, etc., that forms the cutting edge. b razor-blade.
2 the flattened functional part of an oar, spade, propeller, bat, skate, etc.
3 a the flat, narrow, usu. pointed leaf of grass and cereals. b the whole of such plants before the ear is formed (in the blade). c Bot. the broad thin part of a leaf apart from the petiole.
4 (in full blade-bone) a flat bone, e.g. in the shoulder.
5 Archaeol. a long narrow flake (see FLAKE(1) 3).
6 poet. a sword.
7 colloq. (usu. archaic) a carefree young fellow.
Derivatives:
bladed adj. (also in comb.).
Etymology: OE bl{aelig}d f. Gmc