[blade] n [ME, fr. OE blaed; akin to OHG blat leaf, L folium, Gk phyllon, OE blowan to blossom--more at blow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: leaf 1a(1); esp: the leaf of an herb or a grass b: the flat expanded part of a leaf as distinguished from the petiole
2: something resembling the blade of a leaf: as a: the broad flattened part of an oar or paddle b: an arm of a screw propeller, electric fan, or steam turbine c: the broad flat or concave part of a machine (as a bulldozer or snowplow) that comes into contact with the material to be moved d: a broad flat body part; specif: scapula--used chiefly in naming cuts of meat e: the flat portion of the tongue immediately behind the tip; also: this portion together with the tip 3 a: the cutting part of an implement b (1): sword (2): swordsman (3): a dashing lively man c: the runner of an ice skate -- blade.like adj