I. ˈsi-kəl noun
Etymology: Middle English sikel, from Old English sicol, from Latin secula sickle, from secare to cut — more at saw
Date: before 12th century
1. : an agricultural implement consisting of a curved metal blade with a short handle fitted on a tang
2. : the cutting mechanism (as of a reaper, combine, or mower) consisting of a bar with a series of cutting elements
[
sickle 1
]
II. adjective
Date: 1688
: having the form of a sickle blade : having a curve similar to that of a sickle blade
the sickle moon
III. verb
( sick·led ; sick·ling ˈsi-k(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 1922
transitive verb
1. : to mow or reap with a sickle
2. : to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell
intransitive verb
: to change into a sickle cell
the ability of red blood cells to sickle